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East Dunbartonshire Council has put forward plans to construct a new Lenzie Academy on Whitegates Park, a proposal that has ignited significant opposition from local residents worried about the potential loss of cherished green space. The land in question was previously identified in a 2018 survey as containing contaminated soil with toxic risks, which posed a considerable environmental concern if any development were undertaken. At that time, these findings contributed to the decision against using Whitegates for an additional support needs (ASN) school.
Despite the earlier conclusions, the council now maintains that updated surveys suggest the site could be deemed suitable for school construction, provided that appropriate remedial measures are implemented. This re-evaluation has come amid pressing safety concerns at the existing Lenzie Academy, which was recently flagged in a fire safety report as having a “substantial risk to life” due to outdated and unsafe fire exits and doors. With more than 1,300 pupils, plans to replace the school have been underway since 2021.
Back in September 2022, council members approved a feasibility report designating Whitegates as the preferred location out of eleven options. However, the choice has drawn criticism, particularly because the site was rejected in 2018 for the ASN school due to environmental and ground condition risks. Notably, the council did not apply the same scoring criteria used in the earlier assessment, leading to accusations from campaigners that there was a “deliberate steer” toward Whitegates. Protestors also pointed to a lack of transparency, as the meeting where Whitegates was selected was not officially minuted, further fueling suspicions of a “cloak and dagger process.”
Campaigners remain concerned about the environmental impact, highlighting that Whitegates Park serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including deer, hedgehogs, and frogs, and is a valued open space widely used by the local community for recreation. They argue that the area remains protected as a public park and that little has changed since the 2018 determination that deemed it unsuitable for development. While the council insists extensive site investigations have confirmed the land’s viability for building with proper safeguards, doubts persist among residents, some of whom spoke anonymously to BBC Scotland due to fear of repercussions. Many express frustration over the council’s refusal to hold a public consultation on the matter and worry about the long-term effects on the community’s wellbeing and local environment
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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