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Key milestone for new high school campus in Peebles as planning application submitted

Exciting plans to create a new state-of-the-art campus in Peebles, replacing the High School, which was seriously damaged in a fire in 2019, have been submitted.

The plans, developed in close consultation with the local community, will see a new two-storey building located on the existing High School site and built on one of the existing grass pitches.

Internally, this modern learning space will include attractive atrium spaces for collaboration and interaction, as well as breakout spaces for flexible teaching.

Externally, the campus has been designed with the intention of being used by the whole community, providing an active landscape with opportunities for team sports, exercise classes, and routes for walking and running, as well as a growing area with shared allotment planters.

Alongside the new build, there will be an extension of the existing sports block, with a new multi-purpose 3G pitch built.

The new facility will be constructed whilst the existing school remains operational, avoiding significant disruption for pupils and ultimately delivering a world-class education and community facility.

The project is being delivered by Scottish Borders Council’s development partner, Hub South East Scotland, with BAM Construction the appointed contractor and Stallan Brand the architects behind the design.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: “This is a significant moment in the progression of a brand-new state-of-the-art high school facility for Peebles.

“After close consultation with the local residents last year to help carefully shape and inform the overall vision and look of this new facility, I’m delighted with the work done by Stallan Brand to help make this vision a reality.

“If approved, this proposed new school will provide a transformational facility designed to support the delivery of a 21st century curriculum and provide wide-ranging community benefits. As set out in the plans, this development has the potential to be a real asset for the people of Peebles and one that they can be truly proud of.”

Scott Brown, Hub South East’s Project Director, said: “We are excited to reach this key milestone in the project, allowing us to further progress the development, design and construction of this new campus for Peebles.

“We look forward to working with Scottish Borders Council and our contractor BAM Construction, to deliver a facility which supports a modern learning experience for pupils and is an asset to the local community.”

If planning permission is received, work is due to start on site in Peebles in early 2023, with completion due in 2024 and demolition works of the existing school to follow.

Scottish Borders Council has placed a major focus on investing in the futures of young people in recent years. As part of the Learning Estate programme, high-quality educational facilities across the Borders are being prioritised.

Along with progress made on Peebles Community Campus, work on a replacement for Galashiels Academy continues at pace with a design process currently being undertaken with a planning application due in early spring.

The planning application is available to view online.