Plans for an ambitious “superschool” serving pupils from across Tayside on the edge of Dundee have collapsed.
The school, which would have been built in the Western Gateway development, would have provided nursery, primary and secondary education to more than 1,000 children.
Each of the three local authorities has been running their own consultations about the schools over the summer.
The Courier understands that although there was support for proposal in Dundee, officers in Perth and Kinross and Angus Council have recommended elected members do not back the multi-million pound scheme.
A document seen by The Courier said: “The reports going to councillors in Angus and Perth and Kinross will recommend not progressing the tri-council school, following consideration of possible sites, the build and ongoing running costs, as well as the consultation outcomes.
“These two councils will hear the recommendation for each council is that each explores new ways with which to best meet the needs of their children, young people and communities on an individual basis.”
Earlier this month, it was revealed Angus Council was not backing the superschool until it had received assurances over the operation of the school.
It is understood there were concerns that although a majority of pupils in the school would be from Angus, its council would have little input on how the school would have been run.
David Fairweather, leader of Angus Council, said the scale of the project was “without precedent” but the council needed to be convinced it would be the best option for pupils.
However, some councillors in Angus did voice support for the superschool.
SNP Monifieth and Sidlaw councillor Beth Whiteside said the campus could have been “transformational” for children living in its catchment area.
In Dundee, Lochee Labour councillor Michael Marra also expressed doubts about the feasibility of the project, warning it would be “extremely difficult” to get the three local authorities to agree.
Reports are due to go before committees in all three areas early next month.
Plans for a tri-area school were first put forward by developers Springfield Properties, who are building hundreds of new homes in the Western Gateway.
The other option was just to build a primary school in the area.
Dundee City Council had earlier identified demand for a new primary school to serve the Western Gateway due the number of families moving there.
Homes in the development are currently in the Ardler Primary and Baldragon Academy catchment areas.
The schools are just over four and five miles away respectively and parents have put in placement requests for schools in Angus and Perth and Kinross.
