Plans for new Evie primary school take step forward

Plans for a new primary school in Evie took a step forward this week as islands councillors unanimously backed a recommendation to put the £2.9 million project on the OIC’s capital programme for 2013/14 onwards.

Members of the council’s policy and resources committee approved a stage 2 Capital Project Appraisal for the new school with community facilities at a meeting on Tuesday.

It outlined how the design of the current school, built in the 1970s, made it difficult to comply with access legislation and heating standards along with other problems related to the age of the building.

The appraisal stated that with a government grant of £1.05 million, the council would be required to provide the remaining £1.85 million for the project.

At the meeting, the council’s executive director of education, leisure and housing, Leslie Manson, reassured members that the local community would now be consulted on the design and location of the new school, which could be completed in 2015.