Dundee councillors are to be asked to back a call to expand a Broughty Ferry primary school.
Ferry ward member and former education convener Laurie Bidwell wants to see Barnhill Primary refurbished and extended and the issue will be discussed at Monday’s meeting of the education committee.
The issue of the school’s capacity was raised earlier this year, with some councillors saying it may not be able to cope with rising pupil numbers. However, the council has said it will be able to accommodate all 74 priority one pupils due to start P1 next term.
Mr Bidwell will ask the committee to agree to prepare a feasibility study for the proposed extension, with officials reporting back by November.
He said, “With confirmed demand for school places a growing issue in Barnhill Primary’s catchment area, it makes sense for the council to revive its plans to refurbish and extend the school in a manner similar to the recent extension and refurbishment of Forthill Primary.
“This could expand its capacity to cope with a growing demand for places from parents living in the catchment area and upgrade school facilities that are already stretched.
“For example, the nursery classes are accommodated in temporary huts, which is unusual in Dundee schools.”
Mr Bidwell noted the council had received outline planning consent for an extension in 2002, but this lapsed without any work being done.
“Since letting this permission lapse, a lot of house building has taken place in the school’s catchment area and more land is zoned for large-scale housing developments. And the nursery is still in the huts.
“I think parents living in or moving into the catchment area of Barnhill Primary will expect the council to plan ahead and revive these plans as a matter of urgency.
“I am therefore asking that a feasibility study is prepared and brought back to the education committee later this year. I shall recommend to the committee that it is not just a technical appraisal but involves head teacher Pam Nesbitt and her staff and the parent council and forum.
“Of course, this will not provide an immediate solution to the capacity concerns that arose earlier this year, but it might reassure families living in or moving into the Barnhill Primary catchment area that the council will have a satisfactory rather than makeshift longer term solution to school capacity.
“Progressing my proposal would also help to reduce fears that public services in Broughty Ferry will not be able to cope with the planned growth in population, principally in the north-eastern part of the Ferry.”
Rod Wallace, Conservative councillor for the Ferry, also raised the issue of possibly extending the school when he met senior council officials earlier this year.
SNP education convener Liz Fordyce previously said worries about capacity at the school were “scaremongering” and there was always going to be enough space to accommodate priority one pupils in August.