WORK on two new primary schools, each welcoming more than 500 youngsters, is now under way.
The size and scale of the schools planned for Blindwells and Craighall has become clear with the installation of the steel frames that will form the basis of the buildings.
The new schools are being constructed in the two areas as a result of planned new housing.
Neither school has officially been named at the moment but it is hoped work at the schools will be complete by next spring.
Councillor Fiona Dugdale, cabinet member for education and children’s and family services, visited the sites to meet with the project teams.
She said: “We are investing significant sums in two brand-new schools at Craighall and Blindwells and it’s exciting to see them begin to take shape.
“The buildings will be focal points within their new communities and, together with our partners at Hub South East and contractors Balfour Beatty, we want to make sure they are spaces that they can be proud of.
“I look forward to seeing the buildings progress and establishing two new high-quality schools to join our education offering in East Lothian.”
East Lothian Council’s development partner, Hub South East, was appointed to deliver the schools, with Balfour Beatty working as the principal contractor.
Construction began at both sites earlier this year and work is due to be complete in late spring next year.
Project costs for both schools combined are estimated at £49.6 million and are predominantly funded through Section 75 developer contribution.
Each school will have places for up to 420 children.
An early learning and childcare centre will also offer 100 places for youngsters aged two to five.
Permission was previously granted for 1,600 homes at Blindwells as part of a new town development, while the East Lothian Local Development Plan allocates land at Craighall for a mixed-use development, including 1,500 homes.
Both developments were given planning permission towards the end of 2022.
Currently, youngsters living in the Craighall catchment area are accommodated at Stoneyhill Primary School, while youngsters at Blindwells attend Cockenzie Primary School.
Drainage works are now well advanced, with foundations nearly completed across both sites.
The structural steel frame is now well advanced, showing the shape of the buildings and the distinctive “saw tooth” roof design with openings which will eventually be skylights.
Work will continue on the frame and drainage installations in the coming weeks while roof works are due to begin in early summer.
Andrew Thornton, Hub South East’s project director, said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress being made on both builds, taking us closer to the exciting plans for Craighall and Blindwells becoming reality.
“The designs for these new schools have been developed using Passivhaus principles, so pupils and staff will not only benefit from modern new learning spaces, the buildings themselves will be energy efficient and will assist our client in meeting progressive Scottish Government environmental targets.”
Atholl McKay, operations director at Balfour Beatty, said: “We are pleased to see the progress being made at Blindwells and Craighall primary schools, with the steel frames now in situ.
“Once complete next year, these new high-quality, energy-efficient schools will serve as key community hubs, supporting the educational needs of the growing local population.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here