Parents slam plans to demolish school
Plans to demolish a 130- year- old school have been slammed.
Last week South Ayrshire Council announced that Morrison Construction have been appointed to deliver the new Sacred Heart Primary School in Girvan.
Work is scheduled to begin in October 2020 with the existing school set to be demolished and the new building erected on the same site. But the decision to flatten the school, which was built in 1889, received a backlash on Facebook.
Linda McEvoy, of Girvan, wrote: “I hope they can recycle the bricks as they will probably put up yet another school that looks the same as the rest.”
Ann Simpson, of Prestwick, replied: “I doubt it, the sandstone from the old Police Station and Social Work buildings in Prestwick were just dumped. The council have no regard for our heritage when it comes to old buildings. If they don’t demolish them they allow planning permission for them to be demolished.”
Ex- Carrick Academy pupil Sandra Woodsaid: “What a shame. It looks like a beautiful sandstone building – yet another iconic part of Girvan lost.”
Jean McKay McGregor, of Troon, added: “Surely they could have incorporated the old building into the new. South Ayrshire Council – they couldn’t run a bath.”
A Council spokesperson said: “The existing school has a suitability rating of C which means it is poor and not conducive to meeting the needs of all of the children.
“The layout of the school is very inefficient with children having to disrupt PE and the school office to move from one part of the school to another.
“Classrooms vary in sizes and the school lacks general support accommodation. Overall it would not have been possible to adapt this school to provide a fully accessible, modern layout.
“In addition, the building is also in very poor condition. A new build school will provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
“This project will ensure value for money through appropriate design, build and facilities management.”
The cost of the construction is estimated at £ 3.6m, with work expected to be complete by October 2021.
The new school is set to accommodate up to 125 pupils.
Councillor William Grant, Portfolio holder for Lifelong Learning, said: “This has been a long awaited project for Sacred Heart and I know that they will be delighted with the news.”
Pupils and staff are currently at Girvan Primary School, where they will remain for two years until the new school is unveiled.