As many residents will know, I have been pushing for the delivery of new services and infrastructure in South Gilmerton for some time, to keep up with new housing developments in the area. So I was pleased when last year councillors approved the construction of a new primary school for the Gilmerton Station Road area. The projected opening date at the time was August 2028.
The City of Edinburgh Council have now told me that, due to delays in the transfer of the site from the developer to the Council, the projected opening of the new school has been delayed.
I know this will be enormously disappointing for many residents, many of whom moved to the area based on the understanding that the school would be up and running by the previously projected target date of August 2028. It’s an issue constantly raised with me when I’m in the area.
The Council have said:
“Negotiations with the landowner are now progressing well and once the Council has secured the land transfer, we will be able to prepare a more detailed delivery programme.
“Because of the delays in land transfer, it will not be possible to deliver and open the school by August 2028. It is not possible to provide a reasonable estimate for a revised delivery date until the land transfer is completed.”
If you haven’t yet signed my Build Better Places petition, please consider doing so. It’s all about pushing the big developers to deliver the services and infrastructure that have been promised to new and existing residents in South Gilmerton. It is not good enough that residents were promised this and it has not been delivered. You can sign the petition below.
Please be assured that I will continue to monitor this issue closely and will keep pushing for better local services.