Councillors agree standalone option for new primary school in Eyemouth
People power triumphed as Scottish Borders Council agreed to push ahead with a new standalone Eyemouth Primary School.
The future of the “no longer fit for purpose” school has been on the agenda for more than a decade amid increasing frustration from the local community at a lack of progress.
In more recent times two options emerged.
A ‘campus model’ for relocating the school into the town’s high school, with a separate Early Years and Family Centre on the current primary site, generated overwhelming public opposition.
The favoured parental option was a new single-storey standalone primary school with early years and family centre provision on or aligned to the existing primary school site in Coldingham Road.
That option could be delivered faster than the ‘campus model’ but would come at a higher cost.
At a special meeting of Scottish Borders Council, members agreed to drive forward with the standalone option – and cease any work on pursuing the campus option.
The new school is to be financed through re-prioritising of the council’s capital plan with future funding from Scottish Government uncertain in the short-term.
East Berwickshire Conservative councillor Carol Hamilton, who convened the special meeting, said: “We have heard the community loud and clear.”
“It has been obvious from all the communication with the community that their preference is a standalone school on Coldingham Road. This is what the community has told us and we have listened.
“We have respected their views and their preference and we must do right by Eyemouth.”
Cllr James Anderson, independent for East Berwickshire, who has campaigned with parents for the standalone option, said: “This is a relief, thank God.
“I also want to thank the parents who have been involved in what has been quite a tough push-back. I’m very grateful for everybody that is going to vote to put this thing to bed.”
Despite the decision a number of members spoke at the meeting in support of the campus option as a viable option for other Borders’ communities in the future.
Members voted unanimously to support the standalone option for a new Eyemouth Primary.
Members were told the decision would result in abandonment of a proposed Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) innovation building for Eyemouth, which formed part of the campus option.