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Why not build the New school, where Ardeer Factory used to be. I imagine there is enough room there for many more than one School. There would be no through traffic, it would also be healther with fresh sea breezes. A bus service could easely be provided at start and finish school times.

How clean is that area?



SC

georgeflemingard wrote: ↑Thu May 24, 2018 10:16 am Why not build the New school, where Ardeer Factory used to be. I imagine there is enough room there for many more than one School. There would be no through traffic, it would also be healther with fresh sea breezes. A bus service could easely be provided at start and finish school times.

georgeflemingard,
I hope you realise that even a hint of a suggestion like that won't go down well with the conservation police.

As an former resident of Stevenston and ,until my retirement, headteacher of of one of the largest day/residential schools , in the UK,for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. I feel reasonably well qualified to comment on this topic.
Firstly, I feel it is commendable that a new establishment is being built for children with additional needs.
Secondly,the decision to build such a school Stevenston,will bring many benefits both social and economic to what has been in the past a much neglected town. The school for which I was responsible employed over 100 non teaching staff ( i.e. ancillary support ,domestic, cleaning and administrative staff) all of whom were employed from the local community.This is not withstanding over 40 specialist staff ( i.e. teachers and therapists). On the basis of these sort of figures I would contend that the proposed new school would have a significant economic benefit to the area.
However,I do have concerns about the proposed site.In all of similar schools in which I have been employed the biggest problem faced has been one of ease of access.It is my view ,that irrespective of the loss of much needed sports fields, Auchenharvie is not good site for school of this type.
The majority,if not all, pupils will be transported to school by mini bus or taxi.It is imperative that the school has good road access from all areas.Given Auchenharvies position relative to main access routes,I would anticipate major problems. Surely a site just off or adjacent to road from Stevenston Cemetery down to the shore(sorry can't remember its proper name,but we used to refer to it as the "new road" as it gave access to the ICI plants) would be a better choice.Positioned here access would be very much easier from all parts of North Ayrshire.In my view this would solve many, if not all of, the problems of traffic congestion I would anticipate if the school was sited at Auchenharvie . At the same time we would retain the existing sports facilities.

On the map posted ,is that a new entrance at No 12 .Seems like a wider part of road there .

SC

Not sure how clean the area is now, but the area I am thinking about is at the main entrance to the factory where there was a large parking space, where upwards of 20 double decker bus's used to park, also a railway platform where the workers disembarked form places all over Ayrshire.
Inside the main gate on the left hand side was where the admin, and labs were. on the right hand side was Africa House where staff had there meals. Between all these area's there is enough space to build half a dozen Schools, and all uncontaminated ground.
I have no idea what this area looks like now, It's almost 60 years since I saw it last.
George F

Hi George .Yes I thought of the bus stance after I posted. Large area there .Of course area could be high fenced. Don't think it will make any difference now they have chosen .

SC

This project sounds a great idea, but I am worried about the cost.North Ayrshire Council is already in total debt of £910 millions [this includes the cost of servicing the debt}. The Audit Commission for Scotland has drawn attention to NAC and two other Councils as being in danger of running out of reserves in the next three years. Where is the money coming from exactly? How much of it will come from a Scottish Government grant? In some ASN units down south the cost can be as much as £600,000 [sic] per pupil/resident per year. I have tried to find out the precise figures here, - so far without success. Transparency is surely everything.

The planning application for the new school is at https://www.eplanning.north-ayrshire.go ... HBSLEL5B00

The public consultation on the planning application closes on 18th October. The email address to send objections or other comments to is: eplanning@north-ayrshire.gov.uk, or you can comment online: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/plann ... ation.aspx

A new ASN school is a good idea, but building it on the playing fields of a deprived community is a ridiculous and brazen proposal.

On a historical note, the document 'Wosas repsonse' is an interesting letter from West of Scotland Archaeology Service.

Surely a major consideration in the planning of this venture would be the integration of the Special Needs children in the community. All of the negativity so far has been specifically about the actual siting of the facility . Some claim, honestly that it is about the destruction of playing fields, and this is a valid objection but most of what I have seen is to isolate the centre as far away from the hub as possible. While most agree that such facilities should be provided but, not near me. Commonly called NIMBY, ism. Consider the alternative. Why not construct the school in the selected location and, move the sports facility to the outback ???. Providing all of the important safety etc. Criteria are satisfied. After all, the remoteness, and uncontaminated air would be an asset to the fitness fanatics who apparently frequent these venues. They could even jog to their chosen location.

Now there's an idea !!!
What about the site at Kerlaw where the former '?approved?' school was.
As far as I know, this is still vacant, has enough room and is fairly central with good access which is off the main road.
JD.

Look at the nightmare when the public were consulted on the new Ardrossan Academy/Auchenharvie Academy build. The good people of Stevenston and generations of children are left with an albeit refurbished 20th century school in 2018.
Were there votes in this for some party?