PLANNING permission has been approved for a new 1,200-capacity £40 million Queensferry High School.
The City of Edinburgh Council has announced the team delivering it will be its development partner hub South East, with Morrison Construction in the role of Tier 1 Contractor. A two-year construction period is expected to start in spring this year.
Approved plans include a new school comprising a sports hall and 6-lane swimming pool, a 3G football pitch and running track. The school will be built on the current school’s playing fields and, following completion, the old school will be demolished, with the area landscaped and a new pitch created on the site.
Due to the close proximity of the school to the Forth Bridge World Heritage Site, architects Ryder have designed the building to fit in to its surroundings. This includes maximising views from the school across to the Forth Bridge and external finishes that are said to complement the location.
Roddy Clark, hub South East’s project director said, “We’re excited to have reached this key milestone of planning approval on the new Queensferry High School. Throughout the consultation we listened to feedback and as a result, we were able to make changes to the design to reflect local needs, such as a larger swimming pool. The new school will not only provide a modern learning estate for pupils and staff, but will be a fantastic asset to the community.
“After successfully delivering a new high school campus and several primary school facilities for the Council already, we look forward to working in partnership to make these Queensferry High plans a reality.”
Eddie Robertson, Morrison Construction managing director Central Building added, “‘We look forward to working with our partners hub South East and The City of Edinburgh Council to build this exciting new facility for Queensferry and the wider district. ‘This project will deliver larger, modern education and sporting facilities to benefit pupils, staff and the community and we are excited to make these plans a reality.
‘‘Over the course of the construction programme we will continue our engagement with the school and community stakeholders. ‘The education and employment opportunities we create will ensure this project has a positive impact on the community now and into the future.’”
