A call to build a new Catholic primary school in Aberdeen has been overwhelmingly rejected.
Aberdeen City Council plans to move pupils at the ageing St Peter’s in King Street into the existing Riverbank School in Tillydrone from August 2021, or when work to bring the building to standard is completed.
The cost of the Riverbank improvement works will be discussed at next year’s budget.
But at yesterday’s education committee, Councillor Martin Greig proposed to scrap the plan and demolish Riverbank to make way for a brand new school for St Peter’s pupils.
It comes after a major consultation on the future over-capacity issues at the school.
A submission from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen said the church would be supportive of moving to Riverside, but the “preference” would be a new building.
It added: “However, (the church) understands that there is not currently funding available for a complete new-build and is of the view that the proposal should provide a significant improvement in both facilities and available space.”
Yesterday, Mr Greig pointed to £100million plans currently under way for four new primaries elsewhere in the city and said he was sure money could be found in the budget for a new St Peter’s.
He said: “I think it is our duty to do everything to provide the best possible environment and education for our children.
“We are building schools across the city so I think if we referred this to the budget process we would be able to best to maintain this aspiration.”
But John Murray, the Roman Catholic representative on the committee, said: “My understanding is that Aberdeen City Council has proposed that when the Riverside school is upgraded the children will move there.
“I support this, the parents support this and the Catholic church supports this.
“It is very important for the credibility of the council that they do deliver on what has been proposed. “
Education convener John Wheeler, speaking against Mr Greig’s amendment,added that the issue had been “round the houses” and promising a new school would give “false hope” to parents and guardians.
Mr Greig’s amendment was defeated by 16 votes to one.
Meanwhile, should the council’s capital committee approve spending, Milltimber Primary School would be moved to a new building and a new primary would be constructed for Countesswells both by 2021.
