Community library and sports facilities among new facilities planned for new Wallyford Primary School

The new £18 million Wallyford Primary School will feature sports facilities for wider public use, a community library, and facilities for after-school clubs.A series of well-lit pedestrian and cycle paths have been factored into the masterplan proposals to reduce the need for car journeys and traffic movement currently associated with the existing primary school.An application for detailed planning permission has now been lodged by Edinburgh-based JM Architects on behalf of East Lothian Council, which is leading the project.The new school, which will be built as part of the new St Clements Wells development, will expand its catchment to take in housing at Dolphingstone Farm, which currently falls under the boundaries of Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School, Tranent.And it will replace the current primary school in the village, providing nearly double the capacity, including the nursery, primary and social, emotional and behavioural needs provision.Developers’ contributions will make up about £11,700,000 of the cost, with an additional £4.5 million from the Scottish Government body the Scottish Futures Trust, and the council paying the remainder.The school will provide for an anticipated school roll of about 814 pupils for phase one. An extension is proposed for completion in 2031, increasing the roll to about 1,194 for phase two.Drop-off zones and parking bays will be provided adjacent to the entrance, with staff parking located to the rear of the building outwith the secure perimeter fence.The school building has been designed as an arrangement of ‘teaching clusters’ organised along a central ‘street’ space.The nursery will be located within its own secure garden and there will be an open plan dining hall.The application is expected to go before the council’s planning committee for a decision in March.