This month there have been important developments on the current and new Boroughmuir High School sites.

Current site

The Council Planning Committee rejected the developer’s proposals for the site. The application was rejected based upon the design, height, materials and massing of the new build flats. This was despite planning officers recommending the application be granted.

A Huge congratulations must go to the local residents who conducted a superb local awareness campaign and ultimately persuaded their neighbours and the councillors. The developers will, of course, come back with revised plans but hopefully they will acknowledge the residents many legitimate concerns with the original application.

Having spoken to many residents about this issue, I know that they are not against development of the site- they simply believe the development should take into account the amenity of the area.

New site

The news on the new Boroughmuir High School is not as encouraging. Parents and pupils were again left disappointed as builders O’Hare & McGovern have recently informed the Council that they are now unable to achieve the handover date of 16 June and are proposing a new date of January 2018.•

I know that Education Convener Cllr Cammy Day is monitoring the situation closely and is due to meet the builders on site to discuss. Of course, nothing is more important than the safety and well being of pupils but this now the 6^th time the opening of the school has been delayed and I urge all involved to get the building completed without further delay.