Dargavel Stat Consultation ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 18 January 2024
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 18 January 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 18 January 2024 _________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services _________________________________________________________________ Heading: Proposal to Consult on: establishment of a new primary school to be built at Dargavel Village and a Catchment Review Affecting Dargavel Primary School and a new primary school to be built at Dargavel Village ____________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 In accordance with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, this report seeks approval to consult on the establishment of a new school within Dargavel Village. 1.2 The report seeks approval for consultation on the site of the proposed new building to be an 8.5 acre site at the north end of Craigton Drive and approval to consult on revised catchment areas for the existing Dargavel primary school and the proposed new school. 1.3 Subject to approval by the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board to proceed with this proposal and subject to the outcome of the consultation, it is anticipated that any new school will be constructed by 2027. Revised catchment areas would take effect on completion of construction. _________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to: authorise the Director of Children’s Services to undertake a consultation, in line with the procedure required by the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, on the basis of the proposal paper set out in appendix 1; authorise the Director of Children’s Services, or another appropriate officer nominated by her, to take such action as is required to carry that consultation through to completion, in accordance with the legal requirements;
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note that provision for denominational pupils within Dargavel Village will remain unchanged, within the St John Bosco Primary School catchment; note that the catchment secondary school will be Park Mains High School note that it is anticipated that a report on the outcome of the consultation will be submitted to the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on 23rd May 2024. _________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”) makes provision for the consultation process that is to apply regarding various proposals made by Councils for schools. The principal purpose of the 2010 Act is to provide strong, accountable statutory consultation practices and procedures that local authorities must apply to their handling of all proposals for school closures and other major changes to schools. These consultation processes are expected to be robust, open, transparent, and fair, and seen to be so. They are also expected to be consistent across Scotland. The 2010 Act applies to a wide range of changes to the school estate, referred to as “relevant proposals”. 3.2 This report seeks approval to consult on the proposal to deliver a new non- denominational primary school within Dargavel Village and to revise catchment arrangements between Dargavel Primary School and the new school. The Report notes that that the catchment primary school for all denominational pupils in Dargavel Village will remain St John Bosco Primary School. In accordance with Section 2 and Schedule 1, Para. 2 and 4 of the 2010 Act a proposal to establish a new school and a proposal to vary any admission arrangements for a school, including altering or establishing the catchment area of a school, is a relevant proposal for the purposes of the 2010 Act, therefore the proposal outlined above is subject to the 2010 Act. 3.3 The consultation will include the options officers have considered when developing the proposal for a new primary school. This includes identifying operational capacity and potential locations for a new school. It also includes consideration of the impact of increasing primary school provision on the catchment high school Park Mains High School. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Summary 4.1 This report lays out the consultation procedures required to take forward the proposal as outlined above in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, amended through the enactment of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Procedures 5.1 The procedures for consultation relating to this proposal are: a proposal paper has been prepared (Appendix 1) which:
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a) sets out the details of the proposal to establish a new primary school to be built at Dargavel Village; and to create a catchment area for that school and revise catchment arrangements for Dargavel Primary; b) proposes a date for implementation of the proposal; c) contains the educational benefits statement in respect of the proposal; d) sets out the information in support of, or relevant to, the proposal. Copies of the document will be issued to a list of statutory consultees, who include: the parent Council of the affected schools: Dargavel Primary School; Bishopton Primary School and St John Bosco Primary School; the parents of the pupils at the schools identified above; the parents of any children who would be likely to become pupils at the affected schools or expected by Renfrewshire Council to attend any affected school within 2 years of the date of publication of the proposal paper; the staff (teaching and other) at any affected school; any trade union which appears to the education authority to be representative of the staff (teaching and other) at any affected school; elected members of wards affected by the consultation proposal; the community Council the community planning partnership for the area of the local authority in which any affected school is situated and any other community planning partnership that the education authority considers relevant; any other community groups using any of the affected schools. 5.2 It is proposed that: An advertisement will be prepared notifying the public and inviting written comment from individuals or organisations outlining the proposal and the recommendations and stating that full details can be obtained from establishments affected. The advert will be published in the Paisley Daily Express and the Renfrewshire Gazette The report will be available for inspection at all reasonable times and without charge at Renfrewshire House and on the Council website and at all affected schools and all public libraries. The consultation should commence no later than 29th January 2024 and, in line with statutory requirement of a period of at least 6 weeks, to include 30 days when the school is open to all pupils, will run until 26th March 2024. A public meeting will be held at Dargavel Primary School at 7pm on 19th February 2024 to allow the proposal to be discussed and oral representations to be considered. Written representation should be made to Gerry Lyons, Interim Head of Education, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street,
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Paisley, PA1 1LE or to Dargavelreview@renfrewshire.gov.uk, no later than noon on 26th March 2024 5.3 Copies of the proposal report and all written representations and comments received will be forwarded to Education Scotland who will consider the papers and prepare a report which will be sent to the education authority. 5.4 A consultation response report including a summary of all written submissions from all bodies and the report from Education Scotland will then be published by children’s services in advance of any Council decision. The report will include a statement of the authority’s responses to any issues raised by representations received or by the report from Education Scotland. The consultation response report will be available for inspection at all reasonable times and without charge at Renfrewshire House and on the Council website and at all affected schools and all public libraries. 5.5 The Council may not decide to implement, or implement, the proposal until three weeks after the date of publication of the consultation report. 5.6 The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, amended through the enactment of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 does not require referral to Scottish ministers in cases other than closure of schools. 5.7 The final recommendation considering the results of the consultative process will be presented to a meeting of the Education and Children’s Services policy board on 23rd May 2024. 5.8 Appendix 1 is the proposal paper produced by the Council in accordance with the terms of Sections 1 and 4 of the 2010 Act. ________________________________________________________________ 6 Correction of the proposal paper 6.1 Where, during the consultation period, the Council has been notified of an alleged omission of relevant information from a proposal paper or an alleged inaccuracy in a proposal paper the Council must proceed as follows: a) determine if relevant information has (in its opinion) been omitted and whether there is (in fact) an inaccuracy; b) inform the notifier of its determination under paragraph (a), and the reasons for that determination; c) inform the notifier as to the action (if any) it is taking and of the reasons why it is, or is not, taking such action; and d) invite the notifier to make representations to the Council if the notifier disagrees with the Council's determination under paragraph (a) or its decision as to whether to take action. 6.2 Where the notifier disagrees with the Council's determination under paragraph (a) or its decision as to whether to take action and makes representations about that, the Council may make a fresh determination or make a fresh decision as to whether to take action. The Council must inform the notifier if it does so.
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6.3 If the Council determines that relevant information has been omitted from, or there is an inaccuracy in, the proposal paper, related to a material consideration relevant to the Council's decision as to implementation of the proposal, it must: (i) publish a corrected proposal paper, (ii) give revised notice to the statutory consultees and (iii) send a copy of the corrected paper to Education Scotland, or (iv) issue a notice to the relevant consultees and Education Scotland providing the omitted information or correcting the inaccuracy, and, if the Council considers it appropriate, extending the consultation period by such period as is reasonable by reference to the significance of the information provided or the nature of the correction. 6.4 Where the information that has been omitted or the inaccuracy does not relate to a material consideration, the Council may, but is not obliged to, take steps (i)-(iii) or (iv) described above, and may also take no further action, except to report the inaccuracy/omission as required by the 2010 Act in the consultation report, which is referred to in more detail below. 6.5 If the Council issues the notices providing the omitted information or correcting the inaccuracy after the end of the consultation period, the notice may specify a further period during which representations may be made on the proposal. ___________________________________________________________________ 7 Consultation arrangements 7.1 As confirmed above, the present proposal is a relevant proposal for the purposes of the 2010 Act, and therefore the Council will adhere to the consultation process in the 2010 Act. 7.2 The proposal paper attached to this report as Appendix 1, provides background information to the catchment review. It details the proposal and indicates a timeframe for implementation should the proposal be approved. 7.3 The proposal paper also includes the Council’s Educational Benefits Statement. ___________________________________________________________________ 8 Involvement of Education Scotland 8.1 A copy of this proposal has been sent to Education Scotland. 8.2 At the end of the formal consultation period Children’s Services will send Education Scotland the following: a) a copy of all relevant written representations that are received from any person during the consultation period; b) a summary of any oral representations made by any person during the public meeting;
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c) a copy of any other relevant documentation, as available and so far, as practicable. 8.3 Education Scotland will provide the Council with a report on the educational aspects of this proposal. This report will be submitted to the Council no later than 3 weeks after Children’s Services have sent them all of the representations and documents noted above, or such longer period as the Council may agree with Education Scotland. 8.4 In preparing their report, Education Scotland may visit establishments affected by the proposal and may make reasonable enquiries of such persons (both in the establishments and outwith) as they consider appropriate. ___________________________________________________________________ 9 Consultation Report 9.1 After receiving the report from Education Scotland, Children’s Services will review the proposal having regard (in particular) to the following: a) written representations received by the Council from any person during the consultation period; b) oral representations received by the Council from any person at the public meeting; and c) the report provided by Education Scotland. 9.2 Thereafter the service will prepare a consultation report for consideration by the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board. 9.3 The consultation report will contain the following: a) a record of the total number of any written representations made to the Council (by any person) on the proposal during the consultation period; b) a summary of those written representations and any oral representations made to it (by any person) at the public meeting. c) a statement of the Council’s response to those representations and Education Scotland's report. d) a copy of that report e) a statement explaining how the Council complied with its obligation to review the relevant proposal. 9.4 The consultation report will also include the following: a) details of any (alleged) omission/ inaccuracy in the proposal paper with a statement of the Council's opinion on it; b) a statement of the action taken in respect of the (alleged) omission or inaccuracy, and why; and
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c) any representations made to the Council where the person who made the notification re: omission/inaccuracy disagreed with the Council's determination as to whether there had been an omission/inaccuracy, or its decision as to whether to take action. 9.5 The Council will: a) publish the consultation report in both electronic and printed form; b) make the report available for inspection at all reasonable times and without charge at Renfrewshire House and on its website; and at the affected schools and all public libraries. c) provide the information contained in the consultation report to such persons as may reasonably require it in another form in that form, if requested, without charge. d) inform any person who during the consultation period made written representations on the relevant proposal of the publication of the consultation report; and e) advertise the publication of the consultation report in the Paisley Daily Express and the Renfrewshire Gazette. 9.6 The timeline and summary of the consultation process in respect of this proposal is set out below: Activity Date Approval for consultation sought from Education and Children’s Services policy board 18th January 2024 Proposal document to be issued outlining the proposal to: the parent Council or combined parent Council of any affected schools; the parents of the pupils at any affected school; the parents of any children who would be likely to become pupils at the affected schools expected by the education authority to attend any affected school within 2 years of the date of publication of the proposal paper; the pupils at any affected school (in so far as the education authority considers them to be of a suitable age and maturity); the staff (teaching and other) at any affected school; any trade union which appears to the education authority to be representative of the staff (teaching and other) at any affected school; the community Council the community planning partnership for the area of the local authority in which any affected school is situated and any other community planning partnership that the education authority considers relevant; any other education authority that the education authority considers relevant; and By 29th January 2024
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10 Delegation of Power to Manage the Consultation Process to the Director of Children’s Services 10.1 The process as set out above requires various actions to be taken by the Council in order for the consultation to proceed (for example, dealing with any notification of an omission or inaccuracy). It Is not practicable for these steps to be referred back to this Board for approval in the timescales set out. For that reason, the Board is asked to delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services, or another appropriate officer nominated by her, to take such action as is required to carry the consultation through to completion, in accordance with the legal requirements. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial None. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - The revised catchment areas and approval of site will give clarity to the community and enable the new building to have a positive start Our Renfrewshire is fair - The process is designed to ensure everyone can give their views and have them heard Activity Date any other community groups using any of the affected schools. Advert to advise of public consultation meeting and the commencement of the formal consultation period issued via local press. By 29th January 2024 Public consultation meeting held to consult with affected community; and Proposal Questionnaire to go live on the Council website. 19th February 2024 29th January 2024 Public consultation period ends. 26th March 2024 Report to Education Scotland on outcome of consultation. 12th April 2024 Response from Education Scotland on outcome of consultation. By 3rd May 2024 Consultation response report (including Education Scotland response) presented to Education and Children’s Services policy board meeting stating consultation outcomes and making final recommendation. 23rd May 2024 Implementation of any proposal approved. No earlier than 14th June 2024
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Reshaping our place, our economy, and our future - The catchment review informs the development of the new building Building strong, safe, and resilient communities - There is a clear consideration given to safe travel Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy - The site evaluations had sustainability and green space as a clear focus Working together to improve outcomes - Ensuring children have a high quality and sustained primary education is at the core of the process. 4. Legal The requirement for consultation and the process to be followed is set out in law. The recommendations made in this report will ensure that the Council meets its legal obligations in that regard. 5. Property/Assets None. 6. Information Technology None. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because the consultation recommended will be open to all interested persons, as set out by the legislation governing the matter. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Cosla Policy Position None. 13. Climate Risk None. ___________________________________________________________________
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List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper 1 The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is Gerry Lyons, Interim Head of Education Renfrewshire House 0141 487 0084 Email: Gerry.Lyons@Renfrewshire.gov.uk _________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services GL/JC 10 January 2024 Author: Gerry Lyons, Interim Head of Education, 0141 487 0084, email: gerry.lyons@Renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Appendix 1 THIS IS A PROPOSAL PAPER This is a consultation on 2 proposals: 1 A proposal to establish a new primary school in Dargavel Village on an 8.5- acre site at the north end of Craigton Drive. 2. A catchment review affecting Dargavel Primary School and the proposed new primary school to be built at Dargavel Village. Table of Contents 1. Summary 2. Procedure for Statutory Public Consultation 3. Rationale for Proposal 4. School Configuration Options 5. Site Option Appraisal 6. Catchment Proposals 7. Educational Benefits Statement 8. Wider Site Considerations 9. Catchment Considerations 10. Statutory Consultation Process Proposal Appendices 1. Edge Analytics Housing and Roll Projections 2. Map of proposed Catchment Area for 2 Dargavel Primary Schools 3. List of streets included in the new catchment areas 4. Dargavel Education Provision – New Build – Site Options Matrix 5. Dargavel Education Provision – New Build – Site E1 location map 1. Summary 1.1 This paper asks for your views on the proposals set out above, in accordance with requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. 2 Procedure for Statutory Public Consultation 2.1 The procedures for the statutory public consultation relating to this proposal are: This paper will be issued simultaneously to:
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the Parent Council or combined Parent Council of Dargavel Primary School; Bishopton Primary School and St. John Bosco Primary School; the parents of the pupils at the schools identified above; the parents of any children who would be likely to become pupils at the affected schools or expected by Renfrewshire Council to attend any affected school within 2 years of the date of publication of this proposal paper; the pupils at any affected school – for the purposes of this consultation, Dargavel Primary School, Bishopton Primary School (in so far as Renfrewshire Council considers them to be of a suitable age and maturity); the staff (teaching and other) at these schools; any trade union which appears to Renfrewshire Council to be representative of the staff (teaching and other) at any affected school; elected members of wards affected by the consultation proposal; the community Council (if any); the community planning partnership for the area of the local authority in which any affected school is situated and any other community planning partnership that the education authority considers relevant; and any other community groups using any of the affected schools. 2.2 Also: An advertisement will be prepared notifying the public and inviting written comment from individuals or organisations outlining the proposal and the recommendations and stating that full details can be obtained from establishments affected. This will be published in The Paisley Daily Express and the Renfrewshire Gazette. The paper will be available for inspection at all reasonable times and without charge at Renfrewshire House and on the Council website at https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/dargavel-school-consultation and at all affected schools and all public libraries. The consultation is now underway and will run until 26th March 2024. A public meeting will be held at Dargavel Primary School at 7pm on 19th February 2024 to allow the proposal to be discussed and oral representations to be considered. Written representation should be made to The Director of Children’s Services, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1LE or to Dargavelreview@renfrewshire.gov.uk, no later than noon on 26th March 2024 2.3 Copies of the proposal paper and all written representations and comments received will be forwarded to Education Scotland who will consider the papers and prepare a report which will be sent to the education authority.
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2.4 A consultation response report including a summary of all written submissions from all bodies and the report from Education Scotland will then be published by Children’s Services in advance of any Council decision. The report will include a statement of the authority’s responses to any issues raised by representations received or by the report from Education Scotland. 2.5 The consultation response report will be available for inspection at all reasonable times and without charge at Renfrewshire House and on the Council website and at all affected schools and all public libraries. 2.6 The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 does not require referral to Scottish Ministers in cases other than closure of schools. 2.7 The final recommendation considering the results of the consultative process will be presented to a meeting of the Education and Children’s Services policy board on 23rd May 2024. Implementation of any decision may not be carried out until at least three weeks have passed. 3 Rationale for Proposal to establish a new primary school and catchment review 3.1 In August 2019, following a consultation process in the first half of 2019, the Education and Children’s Service Policy Board agreed the defined catchment for a new non-denominational primary school within Dargavel Village. In January 2022, the newly constructed Dargavel Primary School in Arrochar Drive, within the village development, opened. 3.2 In November 2022, a report was presented to a Special Education and Children’s Services Board setting out that the Council had identified that the primary school capacity provided at Dargavel Primary School would be insufficient to meet the revised projected demand expected to emerge from the catchment area, as the Dargavel Village development progresses to completion. 3.3 Following detailed and updated projection modelling undertaken by the Council and specialist consultancy Edge Analytics in the first half of 2023, the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board agreed the need to plan to deliver a second primary school to meet the revised projected demand. 3.4 Although underpinned by the best available data and a tried and tested model that has been used extensively across the UK by Edge Analytics, it is recognised that pupil projection modelling in relation to major sites retain unavoidable risk and uncertainty. This is particularly the case when projecting over a significant timeframe. Given almost a decade of development is yet to be delivered in Dargavel Village, the future demand projections produced from the modelling carry an inevitable degree of uncertainty. 3.5 The Edge Analytics model – which projects over a 15-year period and has assumed a completion of the Dargavel Village development in 2033, has indicated a peak in non-denominational demand of 1,131 in 2033/34. This is expected to reduce over the second half of the 2030’s to a slightly lower stabilised level of demand. This pattern of a peak demand followed by a lower stabilised level of demand is evidenced in other large-scale developments across the UK.
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3.6 In addition, further scenario modelling, informed by one year of live data for the forthcoming 2024/25 year suggests that if P1 admissions continued long- term at this rate - higher than the Edge Analytics modelling, a peak demand of around 1,500 could emerge in 2033/34. Discussions with Edge Analytics indicate this scenario is not consistent with the experience of large community growth areas elsewhere in the UK and would place Dargavel Village in the very upper tier of education demand profile. 3.7 In this context and based on the core Edge Analytics modelling (peak demand of 1,131), the Education and Children’s Services Policy board agreed that a second school should be planned for to expand non-denominational education provision and deliver 800 pupil places in addition to the existing capacity of Dargavel Primary School (434). 3.8 This followed engagement with Dargavel Parent Council and their strong advocacy for a second primary school to be delivered. It was also agreed that options would be identified for managing potential upper end projection scenarios, should this be required in the long-term. 3.9 Therefore, the proposal for consultation is to deliver a new non- denominational primary school within Dargavel Village for 800 pupils, and to revise catchment arrangements between Dargavel Primary School and the new school. The proposal notes that that the catchment primary school for all denominational pupils in Dargavel Village will remain St John Bosco Primary School. 3.10 In accordance with Section 2 and Schedule 1, Para. 2 and 4 of the 2010 Act, a proposal to establish a new school and a proposal to vary any admission arrangements for a school, including altering or establishing the catchment area of a school, is a relevant proposal for the purposes of, and subject to, the 2010 Act. 4 School Configuration Options 4.1 Although the Council identified an unavoidable requirement to deliver a new school and additional permanent non-denominational primary school capacity of 800, it is recognised that there are options that can be considered to achieve an expansion in capacity at this scale. Option 1 - fulfil the need through delivery of a new 800 capacity primary school. Option 2 - fulfil the need through delivery of a new smaller capacity school of circa 600 and extend capacity at the existing Dargavel Primary School which is now possible following an additional land parcel adjacent to the existing school being secured from BAE systems. Option 3 - fulfil the need through delivery of a new smaller school of circa 600 capacity and extend the catchment of Bishopton Primary School to encapsulate an element of Dargavel Village. This option recognises that a degree of surplus capacity exists at Bishopton Primary School that could support demand from an expanded catchment area encompassing an appropriately sized element of Dargavel Village that is within closest proximity to the school and benefits from a safe walking route.
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Option 4 – fulfil the need through a combination of both 2 and 3, where a much smaller new school is delivered of a similar scale to the existing Dargavel Primary, with the existing Dargavel Primary extended and Bishopton Primary catchment extended to take in an element of Dargavel Village. 4.2 In assessing the options, the key consideration focused on the following assessment criteria: To what extent the option delivers a learning environment which best supports the delivery of the curriculum and the best educational experience for all learners. To what extent the option supports environmentally sustainable facilities with lower carbon footprints, satisfactory building conditions, sufficiency levels and education facilities. In addition to these core educational assessment criteria, additional wider factors were considered as part of the assessment process. To what extent the option would assist in preserving the broad conclusion of the 2019 consultation exercise to maintain a clearly identifiable primary school provision and catchment serving Dargavel Village, whilst retaining a separately identifiable catchment for Bishopton Primary School which should remain focused on the needs of the historic village. Given the uncertainty and risk in relation to the potential for further additional capacity demand to emerge, to what extent the option supports the Council to maintain flexibility to respond to potential upper demand scenarios emerging in the future. The extent to which the proposal can deliver facilities that would, outside of school operating times, provide flexible space to support a wide range of community activities and uses within Dargavel Village. This acknowledges community feedback during the pre-consultation engagement that accessible and flexible community facilities is a key requirement the community would like to see fulfilled. This also recognises the existing Dargavel Primary School design failed to adequately meet this expectation. The financial cost and value for money of the proposed solution. 4.3 Based on the above criteria, the option appraisal assessment has identified that option 1, delivery of a new 800 school provides the best overall school configuration outcome. 4.4 A 3 to 18 campus for Dargavel and Bishopton has previously been suggested by some members of the community. This consultation does not propose to alter the catchment area for Park Mains High School. A detailed analysis of high school demand and provision for the Park Mains catchment, and the Council’s decision to extend Park Mains High School was subject to a Report to Board on 24th August 2023 which can be accessed here Microsoft Word - Education Provision Dargavel ECSPB (cmis.uk.com)
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5 Site Option Appraisal 5.1 Renfrewshire Council began identifying and assessing potential sites within the Dargavel area to locate a second primary school in December 2022. Since then, there have been additional sites suggested by both BAE Systems as part of discussions in relation to the Dargavel Village development as well as suggestions that have been promoted directly by members of the community. 5.2 The key factors which have been used to guide the site search by Council officers, guide discussions with BAE Systems and the assessment of all options identified throughout the process have focused on a series of key criteria outlined and explained in the site evaluation matrix (Appendix 4) 5.3 This matrix has been used in an appraisal assessment where all the identified sites were evaluated against these criteria and the associated site evaluation matrix is outlined in Appendix 4. Sites which did not meet the required site size were automatically discounted. 5.4 As detailed in Appendix 4, the site referred to as E1 to the north end of Craigton Drive within the Dargavel Village masterplan, has been identified as the preferred location and is identified on the map provided at Appendix 5. 6. Catchment Proposals 6.1 The impact of this proposal is illustrated through existing and proposed catchment maps for Dargavel Primary School and the proposed new primary school within Dargavel Village and is attached as Appendix 2 to this report. 6.2 It is proposed that, if approved, the catchment changes would be implemented to take effect following construction of the new school which it is anticipated will be in 2027. 6.3 If the proposals are approved, all pupils living in affected addresses currently attending Dargavel Primary School would be entitled to continue attending to the end of primary 7. If they are entitled to free school transport, in line with the Council’s transport policy, then this entitlement would also continue. 6.4 Siblings of pupils currently attending Dargavel Primary School would also be entitled to attend the school with their sibling if their older sibling is registered in the school when they enrol. 6.5 Free school transport for new primary 1 pupils would only be provided in instances where the pupil enrols in the school at a time when their sibling still attends the school and where that sibling is entitled to free school transport. 7 Educational Benefits Statement 7.1 Under the 2010 Act where the Council has formulated a relevant proposal, the Council must prepare an educational benefits statement (“an EBS”) in accordance with Sections 1 and 3 of the 2010 Act. 7.2 The Educational Benefits Statement must include the following: a) the Council’s assessment of the likely educational effects of a relevant proposal (if implemented) on:
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(i) the pupils of any affected school; (ii) any other users of the school's facilities; (iii) any children who would (in the future but for implementation) be likely to become pupils of the school; or (iv) the pupils of any other schools in the Council's area, b) the Council's assessment of any other likely effects of the proposal (if implemented), c) an explanation of how the Council intends to minimise or avoid any adverse educational effects that may arise from the proposal (if implemented), d) a description of the educational benefits which the Council believes will result from implementation of the proposal (with reference to the persons whom it believes will derive them), as well as the Council’s reasons for coming to those beliefs. 7.3 Educational Benefits 7.3.1 Section 3 of this document sets out the strategic context and rationale for the identified need to deliver a second primary school as part of increasing by 800 the non-denominational primary school capacity serving Dargavel. 7.3.2 The educational benefits of the proposed building and the proposed location as outlined in the proposal: will ensure sufficient primary school capacity to meet projected demand, providing catchment school places for catchment children. This will be monitored on an ongoing basis. ensures all schools serving Dargavel Village and Bishopton have a viable and sustainable school roll, located within the local area and can serve children, families, and the community of Dargavel. ensures continuity of learning as children will go through all stages of their primary education in a 21st century learning environment which will accommodate future demand – future-proofed for peak projections and is sector-leading in its design. will provide the school with a learning environment where it can build a culture of the highest expectations; placed at the heart of the community this will contribute to the creation a community identity for Dargavel Village which can be grown through community engagement and learning, and which sends the most positive messages about the children and their potential. dining areas will be welcoming, naturally ventilated areas with immediate access to outdoor dining and the IT infrastructure allows for cashless catering arrangements which will enhance the inclusive ethos of the school while supporting the efficient management of dining sittings. 7.4 Learning, Teaching and Assessment 7.4.1 The Council has been working with a Space Planning Consultant who has worked with key stakeholders to develop a strategic brief on what a 21st Century learning environment should look like as part of the proposed new
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school. This includes classroom spaces which will enable children to experience the full range of learning and teaching approaches with the facility for whole class learning; for children to work and learn together in groups of different sizes and to learn independently based on planned learning. This will provide an environment where teachers will be able to give children a voice in their own learning and the opportunity to lead their learning. 7.4.2 The digital connectivity within the proposed new school will provide the opportunity for children to develop digital learning skills and learn through digital learning methodologies. 7.4.3 Proposals include plans for learning plazas to support project-based learning; multi-purpose spaces which will allow children to learn in different contexts in all curricular areas; and break out spaces where teachers will be able to develop play pedagogy developing skills for learning life and work in all children. 7.4.4 This wide range of learning spaces will improve the quality of assessment and professional judgement as teachers will be able to plan learning on a stage and level basis which can be delivered and assess across more than one class, allowing teachers to develop shared understanding of assessment standards. 7.5 Curriculum – Developing the 4 capacities in all 4 contexts of learning 7.5.1 Over and above classroom spaces, the proposed school environment will provide opportunities to experience the ethos and life of the school. The children will develop as confident individuals through whole school activities including school shows; choirs and instrumental bands; school clubs and opportunities to work with community partners in a range of different activities. 7.5.2 The planned environment and assembly spaces will provide opportunities to build positive relationships across the school; opportunities for inputs from partners on key aspects of personal and social education including keeping safe and healthy; building positive self-esteem and self-efficacy. 7.5.3 Outdoor spaces will be designed to encourage and enhance pupil participation in outdoor learning and deliver positive experiences of outdoor play, supporting children to become responsible citizens and effective contributors. 7.5.4 High quality sport and P.E. facilities will provide space for children to participate in a wide range of sport and exercise supporting the delivery of the Health and Wellbeing curriculum. 7.5.5 The proposed location of a new school, in the heart of the community and sufficiently close to Dargavel Primary School and Bishopton Primary School, will allow children to participate in activities where they can work together to improve their community; to help vulnerable people in their community and so grow their understanding about what it means to be responsible citizens. 7.5.6 The school’s proposed location within the catchment of Park Mains High School will allow pupils to benefit from well-established cluster planning activities as well as highly effective support for primary/secondary transition.
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7.6 Supporting Children with additional support needs 7.6.1 The range of spaces that can be delivered within the proposed new school will enable the school leadership team to design facilities which support children who require targeted support – assessed through Renfrewshire Council’s staged intervention policy. This may include break out spaces which allow for targeted intervention for groups of children who require support in specific areas to achieve expected levels of achievement, and flexible space which could be used for sensory rooms for neurodivergent children and space for nurture bases and safe spaces. Additionally, spaces can be created for visiting partners to support children through counselling or group work where there is identified need. 7.6.2 The creation of this high-quality learning environment will send positive messages about all children supporting an ethos of inclusion and equality where all children feel valued. This is supported by the range of spaces available for whole school development on issues of equality. The proposed building will be compliant with the provisions of the Equality Act (2010). 7.7 Staff Development and Leadership Development 7.7.1 The proposed building is a 21st century work environment where teachers will have enhanced facility to work together on planning learning and school improvement activity. The digital capability and high quality work spaces will enhance this further providing potential for improvements for digital learning and to maximise the possibilities presented by Artificial Intelligence. 7.7.2 The quality of assessment and moderation will also be improved as there is high quality space for teachers to work together, share practice and learn from each other. The proposed site also presents opportunity for the 2 primary schools and Dargavel primary school to improve through looking outward. 8 Wider Site Considerations 8.1 The preferred site has been assessed as fully meeting all the criteria for the new building. The Council owns the land; it provides the necessary space for the new school building and is sufficiently distanced from the existing primary school, whilst maximising opportunity for active travel and supporting environmental considerations. In addition, the site presents the most deliverable proposal in terms of timeframe and costs for completion. This positions this site as the optimum location for ensuring continuity and sustainability in children’s learning and delivering the planned provision within Dargavel village. 8.2 The site will allow the school design to plan for delivering high quality space for community use outwith school hours as well as additional outdoor sport pitch provision in this new and growing area, enabling social capital and community involvement in developing the use of the space. This will strengthen community and school capacity to promote health, wellbeing and resilience. Attention will be given on creating new opportunities for the local community. As a result, the proposal will provide not only a high-quality educational environment for children but will also realise significant outcomes for the entire community.
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8.3 The site position within the heart of the Dargavel Village and the central amenity parkland area, coupled with the proposed catchments, maximises the opportunity for safe active travel to school, for both the new school and existing Dargavel primary and maximises convenience for community use outwith school hours. 8.4 Consideration of the integration of the proposed school site with Dargavel Village road and pathway infrastructure will be part of the formal planning application process and will ensure safe traffic flows and optimum road safety for pedestrians and all road users. The infrastructure considerations will include measures such as active travel infrastructure to primarily support children walking, wheeling, or cycling to the central location of both schools, as well as providing effective drop off/pick up arrangements for private cars and school bus services. Council Officers will work collaboratively on issues related to managing traffic and road safety in and around the existing school site and proposed school site. Previous learning and community feedback will inform the future design process. 8.5 Delivering effective road restrictions around the proposed new school and Dargavel Primary School will be considered holistically to promote the best environment possible for travel to and from the school grounds. Traffic management schemes will be designed to promote positive and considerate pedestrian and road user behaviour in the proximity of the school. 8.6 Officers from Environment, Housing and Infrastructure will lead the development and assessment of safe walking routes and a school travel plan to ensure the network around the proposed new school is safe. 8.7 Initial engagement has commenced with a transport consultant to identify early opportunities to pro-actively incorporate such infrastructure and wider design considerations early into the school design process and to support the more substantial work associated with the transport assessment which will be subsequently carried out as part of the future planning application process. 9 Revised Catchment Considerations 9.1 The revised catchment areas have been identified from the number of houses planned in the Dargavel Village and the projected pupil yield from those planned houses. This has been supplemented by data gathered about the roll of the current primary school and indications from the actual number of children in the school, which will be closely monitored on an ongoing basis. 9.2 Despite the inherent uncertainty as projections stretch over a longer period, the proposal is designed to provide a viable and sustainable pupil roll in both primary schools both in the short and long term. The proposed catchments will allow teacher staffing levels and stage classification arrangements to be effective, and children will be able to learn in a sustainable way in their local area. 9.3 The revised catchment areas improve the options for safe and sustainable travel as they reduce travel distances, making walking to school highly viable for almost all children attending the school. This has benefits for the children’s health and well-being as well as having a positive environmental impact with the potential for a significant and sustained reduction in children being brought to school by car.
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9.4 The proposed new primary school will be part of the Park Mains High School cluster comprising Bargarran, Barsail, Bishopton, Dargavel and Inchinnan primary schools. As such it will benefit from existing strong relationships with the associated secondary school. There will be an increased roll for the secondary school, but all projection work undertaken by the Council and consideration of viable options indicate this increase can be accommodated with a planned extension to the existing school, the design of which is part of ongoing engagement. 10 Statutory Public Consultation Process 10.1 This document has been issued by Renfrewshire Council for consultation in accordance with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 10.2 What is a statutory consultation? In Scotland, local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure the adequate and efficient provision of education in their areas. If a local authority proposes to change any part of the existing education provision in its area, then it must engage in a formal consultation process in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2021. This act aims to ensure that all major changes which affect schools are subject to clear consultation with parents, children, young people and communities. 10.3 When does the Statutory Public Consultation start? The consultation will start on Monday 29th January 2024 and close on 26th March 2024, which includes a period of 30 school days. 10.4 Who will have access to this proposal document? The proposal document has been made available to all interested parties, including parent Councils, Education Scotland, parents and carers of children attending the establishments affected, Staff Trade Unions and any other users of the establishments as detailed in the distribution list. The proposal document is published on the Council website at: https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/dargavel-school-consultation Copies are also available at Renfrewshire House, Dargavel Primary School and local libraries Copies can also be made available in alternative formats or translated for readers whose first language is not English. 10.5 What if I notice an error in the document? If any inaccuracies or omissions are discovered in this proposal document, either by the Council or any person, the Council will determine if relevant information has been omitted or if there has been any inaccuracy. The Council may then take appropriate action, which may include the issue of a correction notice, the reissuing of the proposal document or the revision of the timescale for the consultation period, if appropriate. In that event, relevant consultees and Education Scotland will be advised.
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10.6 How will I get a chance to give my opinion? You will be able to give your opinion on the proposal: Online at - https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/dargavel-school-consultation By completing an online response form at https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/dargavel-school-consultation By submitting a paper copy of the response form, attached at Appendix 7 By emailing - Dargavelreview@renfrewshire.gov.uk In writing to Gerry Lyons, Interim Head of Education, Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 All responses must be submitted by no later than close of business Tuesday 26th March 2024 10.7 Will there be any meetings for the public? There will be a public meeting on Monday 19th February at 7pm in Dargavel Primary School. This meeting will provide an opportunity for interested parties to hear about the proposal from Council officers, ask questions and have their views recorded so that these can be considered as part of the consultation process. Advance notice of specific questions or issues to be raised at the public meeting will be accepted up to Friday 16th February 2024. This will allow all issues to be covered and give those who may not be comfortable speaking publicly their opportunity to be heard. A note will be taken of comments, questions, and officer responses at the public session. The notes will be published on the Council website and a copy will be made available on request. The notes will be forwarded to Education Scotland along with all other submissions and comments that are received by the Council during the consultation process. 10.8 Will any other agencies be involved in the process? The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 requires that a report on the proposal on the proposal is prepared by Education Scotland. Education Scotland may attend the public meetings. Once the statutory public consultation period comes to an end, Education Scotland have three weeks to consider the educational aspects of the proposal and submit a report to the Council. Education Scotland receives a copy of relevant papers from the Council, including: A copy of the proposal, paper copies of the written representations or a summary of them (if Education Scotland agree) A note of the oral representations made at the public meeting sessions; and
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Any other related documents Education Scotland may visit schools as part of their consideration of the proposal and meet with children, staff and parents who may be affected by the proposal. Upon receipt of the proposal document and other relevant documentation, Education Scotland will consider the educational aspects of the proposal. They will ensure that their report takes account of: The educational benefits statement The representations received by the Council; and Any further representations made directly to Education Scotland on educational aspect of the proposal which is considered relevant. The consultation report that the Council publishes following the statutory public consultation must include the report from Education Scotland in full. 10.9 Will the outcome of the consultation be made public? The Head of Service (Education) will prepare a report on the results of the consultation process. The report will take account of all Education Scotland recommendations. This report will be published in electronic and printed formats and will be advertised in the Paisley Daily Express and the Renfrewshire Gazette. It will be available on the Council website and from Council Headquarters. The report will include a record of the total number of written representations made during the consultation period, a summary of written and oral representations and the Council’s response to recommendations made by Education Scotland. A copy of the Education Scotland report will be an appendix to the consultation report which will be published and available for further consideration for a period of more than 3 weeks ahead of presentation to Elected members in May 2024. 10.10 When will the Council make a decision on the outcomes of the consultation? The consultation report, together with any other relevant documentation, will be considered by the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, who will make a decision in May 2024.
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Proposal Appendix 1
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Proposal Appendix 2 CURRENT DARGAVEL CATCHMENT MAP PROPOSED DARGAVEL CATCHMENT MAP
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Proposal Appendix 3 Streets Affected BY PROPOSAL – Dargavel Primary School and a New Primary School to be built at Dargavel Village As at 28th November 2023 Aberlady Way Abington Circle Acer Drive Alness Way Applecross Drive Arrochar Drive Ballantrae Crescent Balnagown Drive Barbeg Crescent Barmore Crescent Barmore Drive Barmore Wynd Barrangary Road Birch Road Birchtree Road Boghall Drive Boghall Place Bolerno Avenue Bolerno Circle Bolerno Crescent Bolerno Gardens Bolerno Place Bolerno Wynd Broadford Place Catterline Way Cedarwood Gardens Central Park View Cherrytree Gardens Colintraive Crescent Craigmuir Drive Craigmuir Road Craigmuir Way Craigton Drive Crail Crescent Crosshill Avenue Crosshill Mews Crosshill Road Crosshill Wynd Culrain Drive Dalbeattie Way
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Dalgety Drive Dornie Way Drumbeg Road Dunbeath Circle Dundonnell Road Durness Avenue Elder Crescent Elie Drive Fern Way Forge Crescent Forge Way Gatehead Avenue Gatehead Crescent Gatehead Drive Gatehead Grove Gatehead Wynd Girvan Terrace Glenluce Drive Greenock Road Inveraray Road Kilmartin Gardens Kilmelford Drive Kirkconnel Road Kirriemuir Circle Lairg View Limetree Lane Lochside Avenue Lochview Wynd Luss Grove Melness Grove Melvich Way Millbank Avenue Millbank Circle Millbank Crescent Millbank Drive Moffat Gardens Mosshall Drive Nairn Drive Northbrae Drive Northbrae View Ormsary View Plockton Way Portpatrick Avenue Portree Crescent Rossland Crescent
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Sanquhar Way Skelmorlie Avenue Slateford Road Station Lane Station Road Tain Avenue Tayinloan Way Thurso Crescent Torrisdale Crescent Ullapool Grove Whitemoss Way Whitemoss Wynd Whithorn Crescent The development is still under construction and more addresses may be added to this list, which fall within the boundary of the development site.
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Proposal Appendix 4 DARGAVEL – NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL – SITE OPTION MATRIX Size The site is large enough to accommodate proposed scale of school capacity Active Travel ‐ site is less than 1km walking distance from majority of school catchment residents Ownership of land Site is owned by RC, BAE or other Land Use Designation The site is identified for future development in adopted Local Development Plan Anticipated additional cost of developing (see definition) Total score Council officer comments Scoring PASS = Site is > 8acres in size 3 = majority of catchment <1km walking distance 3 = site is owned by RC 3 = land designated for development 3 = no anticipated additional costs FAIL = Site is < 8acres in size 2 = less than 50% of catchment <1km walking distance 2 = site is owned by BAE 2 = land has no definite status (eg. Unallocated land) 2 = either significant earthworks, new road, additional utility connections required for development site
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1 = majority of catchment >1km walking distance 1 = site is owned by other than RC or BAE 1 = site is allocated for open space or green belt 1 = more than one significant additional cost required Option Appraisal Ref Sites 1 Site W7 (Dargavel Masterplan) 10.9 acres = PASS 3 2 3 3 11 Not considered an optimum location due to close proximity (diagonally across road) from existing Dargavel Primary School 2 Site C1 (Dargavel Masterplan – adj existing DPS) 2.5 acres = FAIL 3 Site A (periphery of Masterplan ‐ west of Whithorn Crescent) 5.93 acres = FAIL
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4 Site B (periphery of Masterplan west of plot W11) 8.08 acres = PASS 3 2 3 2 10 This site has the disadvantage of being accessed primarily via residential streets through masterplan plots W9, W10 and W11. This is very likely to result in adverse impacts for residents in these streets. Although a distinct new road access could be provided to Site B this would significantly add to the construction costs. 5 Site C (periphery of Masterplan ‐ west of plot W8) 6.28 acres = FAIL 6 Site D (periphery of Masterplan ‐ west of plot W5) 6.00 acres = FAIL 7 Site E (periphery of Masterplan ‐ East of Slateford Road) 4.50 acres = FAIL 8 Site F (periphery of Masterplan ‐ between Birch 4.99 acres = FAIL
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Road and railway line) 9 Site E1 (Dargavel Masterplan) 8.5 acres = PASS 3 3 3 3 12 10 Site E2 (Dargavel Masterplan) 8.5 acres = PASS 3 2 3 3 11 Not considered as optimum a site as E1 due to closer proximity to existing Dargavel Primary School 11 Site W2 (Dargavel Masterplan) 9.1 acres = PASS 3 2 3 3 11 Site W2 is closer to planned housing development in Dargavel Masterplan than site E1. This could lead to impacts on residential amenity through the planned introduction of floodlighting for the community sports provision at the new school 12 Newton Road Playing Fields, Bishopton 7.5 acres = FAIL 13 Holm Park, Bishopton 9.5 acres = PASS 1 1 1 2 5 Owned by Community Development Trust and very unlikely to be available for new school development
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14 North of Ingliston Drive 9.0 acres = PASS 1 1 1 1 4 Site is designated as Green Belt in LDP with a presumption against its loss to development. Planning status could elongate planning consenting process by up to 2 years. Site is relatively remote from proposed catchment. 15 East of Slateford Road, Bishopton 8.2 acres = PASS 3 1 1 1 5 Site is designated as Green Belt in LDP with a presumption against its loss to development. Planning status could elongate planning consenting process by up to 2 years. Site is relatively remote from proposed catchment. 16 West of Greenock Road, Bishopton 61.7 acres = PASS 2 1 1 1 5 Site is designated as Green Belt in LDP with a presumption against its loss to development. Planning status could elongate planning consenting process by up to 2 years. Site is relatively remote from proposed catchment.
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17 East of Greenock Road, Bishopton 70.4 acres = PASS 1 1 1 1 4 Site is designated as Green Belt in LDP with a presumption against its loss to development. Planning status could elongate planning consenting process by up to 2 years. Site is relatively remote from proposed catchment. 18 Ingliston Drive, Bishopton 2.3 acres = FAIL Matey’s Field, Bishopton (Camphill Gardens) 1.5 acres = FAIL 20 Site W (Parent Council) – Station Road, Bishopton 6.4 acres (tbc) = FAIL 21 Site X (Parent Council) – Gladstone Hill, Dargavel 27.5 acres = PASS 3 2 1 1 7 Site is designated as open space in Dargavel Masterplan with a presumption against development. Current landform (steeply sloping site) would result in significantly increased costs of construction compared to Site E1. 22 Site Y (Parent Council) – West of Slateford duplicates with West of Greenock Road (site 16 above)
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Road, Bishopton 23 Site Z (Parent Council) – Ferry Road / Greenock Road, Bishopton duplicates with East of Greenock Road (site 17 above) Notes Size 8 acres considered the minimum size required for an 800 capacity primary school and necessary community facilities. Sites smaller than this threshold not considered further Ownership criterion is scored based on the speed and ease of delivery of the school. A third party owner will inevitably involve negotiations and costs to purchase (not otherwise accounted for elsewhere) and lead to a longer timescale for delivery. A BAE owned site is considered to be quicker due to their imperative to find a solution to assist future housebuilding but not as quick as a Council owned site. Anticipated additional costs of developing this criterion is based on a relatively flat, unencumbered site with good existing or committed road access would represent the lowest cost solution for site development. Sites with no existing or committed road access of a suitable nature or with significant earthwork requirements will add significantly to the cost of the development
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Proposal Appendix 5 Map of proposed Site for Proposed new Primary school