Border Telegraph | News | Concern at school delay

Wednesday, 7th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 5th April, 2006 10:21

Concern at school delay

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

FRUSTRATION is growing in Lauder after plans for a new primary school were delayed again.

And community council chairman, Graeme Donald, fears it could be a deliberate attempt by the Scottish Executive to stop their hands from getting dirty.

A public inquiry was held in December into plans to build the new school at Allanbank.

But although local politicians say they were led to believe that the report would be finished at the end of January, they are still waiting for the next move.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said the report is now with ministers, and that no assurances were ever given on how quickly it would be finished.

But feelings in Lauder are running high.

Local councillor, Douglas Younger, said: “Everyone is pretty annoyed about it. No reason has been given at all. The reporter had indicated that it would be finished at the end of January.”

Mr Donald added: “It is a bit frustrating. This first went to the Scottish Executive in May last year, so by the time we get a final decision it will be the best part of 12 months later.

“That is unacceptable. We can all appreciate that officers are busy people, and it is important to understand that there are pressures of staff, but a year for something as crucial as this is really concerning us.”

The plans were called in by the Scottish Executive after Scottish Borders Council granted permission for the Allanbank site, despite it going against planning policies.

But the site looks set to be included in the new Local Plan when it is finalised this year, meaning that any future applications for the same site could be granted permission without any fuss.

Mr Donald thinks the delays may have been caused so that the Scottish Executive can refuse permission, knowing that it can then go back to the council afresh without the Executive having to go against any planning policies.

Mr Donald said: “All this cost and delay and frustration of the past year will be a waste if we have to wait until next year to put in our planning application.

“We are concerned that the reporter and the minister will employ tactics to leave it for the Local Plan. We are getting suspicious.”

Borders MSP, Jeremy Purvis, has written to the Executive to note his disapproval of the delays, but thinks Mr Donald’s suspicions are unfounded.

He said: “I have been frustrated with the delay. The Lauder community has had to put up with a nine-month delay, which is very regrettable.

“There have been two delays, and both have been inexcusable. The first was from the Scottish Executive in deciding to send it to a public inquiry, and the second was on the part of the reporter.

“But I see the delay as more to do with bureaucracy rather than any other policy directive.”

The Scottish Executive has also refuted Mr Donald’s allegations.

A spokesperson said: “Decisions are taken on the basis of planning matters regarding planning legislation and policy, and with reference to Local Plans at the time of the applications. The matters are under consideration.”

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