Community council suggests school sites
Campaign continues
Halfway Community Council have identified three potential sites for a new secondary school in the area.
The group have campaigned for a new facility in the Cambuslang East ward after an increase in population caused by new housing.
South Lanarkshire Council have so far resisted any calls, but community councillors last week said they were not going to stop the fight.
At a meeting of the council, potential sites were proposed including the old Dalton School site near Dechmont, the old Hallside steelworks near Newton and the Welfare site off Mill Road.
The group also received support from Councillor Walter Brogan who told the meeting: “The sooner we get one, the better.”
Secretary Jackie Rinn told the meeting they had invited education secretary John Swinney to the meeting but had not received a response. She saidthey will invite him to their next meeting on November 16.
Mr Swinney had previously indicated his interest in the case for a Halfway school after it was raised with him by Clare Haughey MSP.
However, Councillor Brogan told the meeting: “It’s not a question of land, it’s not a question of money and it’s not a question of Mr Swinney - it’s a question of how much we fight for it.”
Ms Rinn said she believed the Dalton land was zoned for education but said the Welfare site would be ideal.
However, there was also support for the Newton site given the number of new houses being built there and the availability of land which could support a larger network of facilities.
A new primary school is currently being built in Newton, which is a designated community growth area.