Plans are submitted for new school
A planning application for a £16.5 million replacement school in Perth described as “state-ofthe art” has been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council.
The new North Perth Primary School will be built in the grounds of North Muirton Primary School in Uist Place.
The facility will replace the former North Muirton and Balhousie primary schools, both of which are set to close.
The building will be to Passivhaus standards - a voluntary standard for energy efficiency.
Education secretary and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney made the announcement in December that the North Perth Primary School, as well as a new £58m Perth High School, would proceed as a result of funding from phase two of the £1 billion Learning Estate Investment Plan (LEIP). PKC will receive 50 per cent of the total capital cost of building over 25 years, with the council money for both projects approved in September.
The new primary is scheduled to open in 2023, while the high school is expected to open in 2024.
Councillor Chris Ahern, who represents the Perth City Centre ward and is a North Muirton resident, said: “I am delighted that the planning application has now been submitted.
“The new school will replace two schools that are no longer fit for purpose and are also inefficient in terms of maintenance and costs.
“The new school will not only be built to Passivhaus standards, a commitment of this Scottish Conservative administration in terms of building ‘green,’ and a commitment to providing an improving school estate, but will also afford our young people, at the start of their education and lives, the best facilities and education they can get.
“Having been to several public consultations and having seen that graphics of how the new school could look, I commend the developers in their vision and their consultation with the public and their designs.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser added: “It is very encouraging to hear that the plan for the new North Muirton Primary School has been lodged – the proposal is progressing very well.
“The Passivhaus design means the new school will be environmentally friendly, as it will use very little energy for heating and cooling. This marks an exciting period for the council, as this school should have up to 484 pupils, making it one of the biggest in Perth and Kinross.
“It demonstrates the ambition of the council and has to be welcomed.
“The school will cater for the educational needs of children in the North Muirton area of the city and provide them with a state-of-the art building.”