‘Secret bunker’ at school

Mystery space discovered as demolition work starts

DEMOLITION work has uncovered a “secret bunker” below an abandoned Angus primary school.

Workers at the former Hayshead Primary discovered the previously unknown underground structure when work started yesterday.

Contractor Robertson has now halted work and said a three-week investigation will have to take place before demolition resumes.

The bunker is believed to be located below the old headmaster’s office. The school has now been sealed off.

Hayshead, which has seen tens of thousands of pupils pass through its gates, was built by the city council in 1954.

The school was designed to hold just over 500 pupils but the condition of the building deteriorated in recent years.

In 2017, plans to merge Hayshead with the nearby St Thomas’ Primary were approved by Angus Council’s children and learning committee, and designs for a new campus were drawn up.

The new Abbey View Campus, which cost £14 million, was completed in January and the first pupils moved in at the start of February.

Demolition of the old Hayshead building was originally intended to finish this summer but lockdown has delayed progress and it is expected to be months before it is complete.

Once the space has been cleared, it will be used for sports fields and football pitches.

Councillor Derek Wann, convenor of the children and learning committee, said: “The new campus is an excellent facility for the pupils, and a new era has started for the two schools.

“From what we have heard from pupils and teachers alike, it seems as though the Abbey View Campus is a better setting for learning and education.

“While it is sad for ex-pupils to see the school being demolished, it’s good for us to move on.

“It was actually supposed to be down by now, but obviously it was delayed due to the virus.”

Demolition work under way at the former school.