New schools plan gets the green light

Two new primary schools for Monklands have been given the go-ahead.

Plans for a new combined primary, nursery and community campus in Coatbridge for the merged Carnbroe and Sikeside primaries were unanimously approved by councillors last week.

Members also gave the green light to an application for a new school and health centre in Chryston, after a debate concerning the potential need to implement and enforce a mandatory 20mph limit in the surrounding streets.

The new Carnbroe campus will be built on a site at Paddock Street, currently occupied by the area’s community centre which is to be demolished and incorporated into the new building,

It will accommodate 584 primary and nursery pupils in a two-storey building, and will include a floodlit, all-weather sports pitch to replace the existing fields, plus a multi-use games area.

Road safety improvements including new puffin crossings at the roundabout on Paddock Street, a part-time 20 mph speed limit on the main road around Laxford Place and Sikeside Street, and improved and realigned footpaths, are to be put in place before the school opens.

There had been 11 objections to the plans, citing loss of green space plus road safety issues, with a recommendation that a new footbridge should be provided to access the site.

Planners said:“a bridge was considered [but] not taken forward as it was not deemed a viable option.

“A condition has been attached which requests improvement works to allow for the safe crossing of the road at the south-western part of the site and thereon to a wider footpath.

“The council’s roads and transportation section are satisfied with the proposal and that the road network can accommodate the development.”

Carnbroe’s new school will have a“wedgeshaped”interior with facilities including activity and e-learning spaces, while the playground will include a woodland walk and outdoor learning area.

The new school for Chryston is required as both the area’s primary and secondary schools – currently located on the same campus on the opposite side of Lindsaybeg Road – are too small for the rising pupil rolls following significant housebuilding in the area.

It will be constructed at Lanrig Park, and will share the site with a new NHS Lanarkshire health clinic consisting of 17 consultation rooms in its north-eastern wing.

Primary pupils will now have 17 class bases, an activity zone in each of the school’s three wings, a gym hall with changing rooms, stage, e-learning zone and distinctive stepped activity space.

The new development also includes upgraded sports pitches, a 158-space car park and a new public path through the site“which would effectively form a linear public park when combined with the existing trees and proposed landscaping”.

A new pedestrian crossing is also to be put in place on busy Lindsaybeg Road, while council traffic officials also imposed conditions including improved visibility at the Cliffvale Road access and the introduction of a box junction at the high school entrance.