Calls for education and leisure campus to address school capacity saga at Dargavel Village, Bishopton

Council chiefs have been urged to consider building a combined education and leisure campus to address a school capacity saga at Dargavel Village in Renfrewshire

Planning is already under way for a second primary school at the Bishopton housing development and extension to the associated Park Mains High School.

But community leaders have called on Renfrewshire Council to seriously contemplate the creation of a campus with both newbuild primary and secondary schools, as well as pre-school and leisure facilities.

David Woodrow, chair of Bishopton Community Council, said: “We can’t cry over spilled milk because the damage has been done but we have got to find a way of rectifying that damage.

“What we would like to see is a commitment by Renfrewshire Council to create a campus somewhere either in or around Bishopton to satisfy the requirements for education and pick up the leisure requirements for the area as well.

“This should be a campus with both newbuild primary and secondary schools and pre-school and leisure facilities.”

The plea comes ahead of a meeting between community representatives, council officers and elected members on Friday to discuss the work being carried out to boost educational capacity at Dargavel.

A council spokesperson said: “We look forward to meeting with the community council and other local stakeholders to discuss the work being undertaken to increase educational capacity for Dargavel Village and how we can support facilities which benefit the wider community.”

The botched roll calculations for Dargavel Primary School left a bill of £45m on the table for a second primary school, with £30m needed for an extension at Park Mains.

Talks are ongoing between the local authority and landowner BAE Systems over a site for the additional school, as well as space next to the existing facility in Arrochar Drive to allow for future expansion if necessary.

It is understood the land in question would come at no cost to the council.