New Boroughmuir High School plans approved in Edinburgh

Work is expected to start on the new Boroughmuir High School in summer 2014 with completion due for summer 2016

Planning permission for the new Boroughmuir High School has been granted.

Plans for the canal-side site in Fountainbridge were drawn up by Allan Murray Architects.

The proposals were approved by Edinburgh City Council's development management sub committee.

The new building will house up to 1,165 pupils, and will replace the school's current building which sits less than 500 metres away in Viewforth.

The new school site is marked by the Union Canal to the south, Dundee Street to the north, and Viewforth to the east.

The student residencies being built off Gibson Terrace for Edinburgh Napier University mark the western edge of the site.

Academic record

The plans include teaching areas arranged around a multi-functional "heart", traditional classrooms offering easy access to break out areas and enhanced facilities for physical activity and external learning, including a roof-top multi-use games area.

There will also be a new public park, along the canal's north bank, next to the new school building

Work is expected to start on the new school in the summer, with completion scheduled for summer 2016.

Paul Godzik, Edinburgh City council's education convener, said: "Pupils, parents and teachers have been waiting a long time for a new school so I'm delighted that work can now start on the site.

"Boroughmuir has a first-class academic track record, and the focus is now firmly on delivering a new school that provides an equally impressive learning environment."