Parents give cautious welcome to plans for a new Eyemouth primary after 11 year delay
While parents welcome the move by Scottish Borders Council they have reservations that the plans for a new Eyemouth Primary School will run smoothly
Borders parents have welcomed a change in council stance that should see the creation of a new primary school after a decade’s delay.
A long-running campaign has opposed the building of a new Eyemouth Primary on a joint campus with the high school.
At an emergency meeting of Scottish Borders Council (SBC) last week, councillors voted to stop all work on that option.
Instead, plans will be progressed to build a new primary on the site of the current one.
Christine Mutch, a former pupil and now grandmother, spoke for the parents’ group when she said the decision is “very welcome” but still leaves “huge concerns” about the handling of the plans.
Mrs Mutch, who is also a member of Eyemouth Town Team, added: “The manner in which some votes were grudgingly cast gives me no confidence that the current educational leadership will uphold it's own values of equity and equality for all children in SBC region and deliver a 'state of the art' school for Eyemouth, as they have in Earlston, Peebles and other towns.
“My fear is that they will build the bare minimum with no allowance for future growth.
“It’s like Eyemouth gets the crumbs off the table.”
Parents have been petitioning SBC for 11 years for a new primary school after a funding package was set aside due to the building being in a "poor condition”.
As the council saw costs for a new build school rise, it put forward a suggestion of sharing a campus with Eyemouth High School.
East Berwickshire Conservative councillor Carol Hamilton, who convened the special meeting, said: "We have heard the community loud and clear."
Earlier this month SBC was forced to apologise to nursery parents over a botched consultation on closing five local early years settings.
Mrs Mutch said parents saw no evidence that councillors have “taken on board the Ombudsman's ruling upholding other parents concerns about public consultation processes”.
She added: “The contemptuous manner of some was palpable.
“It is vital that SBC consult closely with school staff at Eyemouth to ensure the new build will be fit for purpose and future growth.
“Only staff working on the ground know what is actually needed.”
Carrie Haddow, a former chair of the primary school PTA, added: “It has been a very long road to get here, along with many various designs with only a couple of these every brought to the public.
“I am saddened that it took the protests and the petitions to make SBC take notice.
“I feel relief, but also disappointment with the length of time we have waited.”
Concerns have also been raised about the loss of the former high school hall on Coldingham Road in the town as part of new build primary school plans.
Mrs Mutch said it is the only hall suitable for hosting community events and theatre productions with Eyemouth the only town in the SBC region not to have a large community hall.
A Scottish Borders Council spokeswoman said: “Scottish Borders Council understands the frustration and concern felt by parents who have been waiting so long for a new school, and we are grateful for their patience and continued engagement.
“The current programme is targeting completion in August 2028, subject to planning, procurement and funding.”
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