Selkirkshire councillor Kenneth Gunn has joined in the chorus of approval to the news that a replacement site for Selkirk’s largest primary school is being formally sought by Scottish Borders Council, writes Andrew Keddie.
And his own preference would be for the new Knowepark to be built near Goslawdales, close to the Selkirk High playing fields.
“That is dependent on a lot of conditions, not least cost, being met,” said the SNP member for Selkirkshire at last week’s meeting of Selkirk community council.
“I am delighted that after campaigning on behalf of my own old primary school since 2007, the education department of SBC has at last seen the need to replace this delightful but very old building [in Curror Street].”
The formal acknowledgement that a new site must be found came in February when SBC planners conceded a search must be included in the main issues report (MIR) of the Local Plan.
That blueprint is currently out to consultation and the public has another month to make its views known on land allocations across the region, including a preferred site for Knowepark, where the school role is predicted to rise by over 100 to 351 by 2019, with 50 new P1s due to start this summer.
Site identification is an essential first step for Knowepark to take its place in the pecking order for future capital investment by the council.