A MASTERPLAN to transform educational and health facilities in Earlston with the creation of a new community campus has been given the green light.

Scottish Borders Council has approved planning permission for a new primary school, nursery, health centre, library and other community facilities on the site of the existing Earlston Primary School in High Street.

The work will require demolition of the existing school building and East Green Nursery but the Leader Valley School would be retained on the western portion of the site.

The plan has been drawn up by the council in partnership with Selkirk-based Eildon Housing Association, NHS Borders and the wider community.

And safety is at the heart of the plans.

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A new safer route to school will be created taking pupils away from the busy High Street with connections to the new Eildon Housing development which will be established to the south and will allow secondary pupils to pass safely from east to west, avoiding the pinch point on the High Street.

A design statement submitted with the application by Glasgow-based architectural firm Stallan-Brand says: “Our vision for Earlston is to deliver a community campus which facilitates the positive health and well-being benefits of social interaction between children and the wider community.

“The Earlston site presents an opportunity for a new approach which combines multi-agency partners within a learning environment providing easy access to a wide range of high quality community and health facilities at a convenient location in the heart of the community.”

The project will be a tandem build with the existing school retained during the construction of the new buildings.

The report adds: “The priority is the safety of the pupils, parents and staff while providing defined and secure access, parking and play space. A distinct and secure line between the operational school and the construction site will be established with no cross-over between these activities to ensure the safety of all users.”