Galashiels Academy: Full council meeting supports 'Option 3'

At a meeting on Thursday (May 13), elected members of Scottish Borders Council (SBC) were asked to support 'Option 3' of the consultation – which includes siting part of the new £55 million campus in Scott Park.

For months, campaigners have been voicing concerns over building on green space in the town.

And the meeting of the full council was told that 72 negative comments were lodged opposing the proposed site during the informal consultation period.

But a report to members stated "there is widespread support amongst the school community and the wider silent majority for the project".

At the online meeting, all four Galashiels councillors spoke passionately for the project.

'Fantastic facilities'

Councillor Andy Anderson, of the SNP, said it was a "once in a lifetime opportunity to create something really special" in the town.

He added: "What I would like to see is the community come together on this one.

"This will provide fantastic education and community facilities and I believe the setting is second to none.

"We have a fantastic parkland there which we can use. This can be integrated in for community use and we have a fantastic opportunity to integrate the [Gala] Policies, which will be of huge benefit to the community.

"I am looking forward to seeing this proceed through to the next stages."

'Very passionate views'

Euan Jardine, of the Conservatives, said: "The term 'once in a generation' is used a lot these days. Some people believe once in a generation can be as little as five years.

"However, once in a generation is – 100 per cent, in this case – 30 to 40 years.

"That means that a young person attending the community campus will, more than likely, see their grandchildren attending the same campus.

"There has been a lot of community discussion on this project and very passionate views on both sides of the debate.

"I am sure everyone involved only wants what they believe to be best for the town.

"However, I have spoken to many people about this project from both sides of the debate and I have always said that I was open to what the consultation was going to say.

"Now, after carefully reading the consultation, it states that the preferred way forward from the community is Option 3. Therefore, I will support this option today."

Town has been 'patient'

SBC says the website, outlining the range of options for the town, was visited more than 1,400 times.

And it stated "there does not appear to be any community-based support for Options 2, 4 and 5".

But despite calls for site Option 1 to be considered, a report to the council says "the views and suggestions of the opposition group have not changed the overall option appraisal process in terms of the preference for Option 3".

Councillor Sandy Aitchison, an independent member for Galashiels, said: "As we look forward, we are looking at 2024 or 2025 before we get there and that is a date I look forward to immensely.

"Without doubt, I support this. Gala has been very patient, in terms of this. We have been talking about a new school for a long time. I'm a former pupil of Gala Academy, but not that building that's currently standing there.

"It was the one at Melrose Road, which is, of course, a blight on the landscape. I think what that does is highlight a problem of building new. What do you do with the old?

"In this case, with the proposals for building the new Gala Academy on site, we will demolish the old building and clear the site after we have created this wonderful, new facility."

Officers thanked

Harry Scott, also an independent member for the town, said: "There has been a very informed opposition to the project, but I think uppermost in everybody's mind has to be the educational facility this will provide to the young people.

"As far as I am concerned, the sports facilities are an aside. It's education that is important.

"I am happy to support the paper and thank the officers for all the work they have done."

During the meeting, convener David Parker spoke in favour of the project ­– as did Carol Hamilton, the council's executive member for children and young people.

'The right thing to do'

Mr Parker, an independent member for Leaderdale and Melrose, said: "The council has replaced five of its nine secondary schools in the last 12 years.

"Those schools in Duns, Earlston, Eyemouth, Kelso and Jedburgh have brought first-class teaching and learning facilities and they have also developed new and exciting community facilities.

"It's now the turn of Galashiels and over the next five years, the council has committed to delivering projects in Galashiels, Hawick and Peebles.

"I hope after today we can go on to talk about Hawick and Peebles and the exciting plans for those towns as well.

"It would be fantastic if, in this lifetime of the council, we could signal a clear delivery timescale for Selkirk as well – completing the nine high school journey.

"[In Galashiels] there is still work to do in terms of the educational consultation, the planning issues and the future development of the project, but I think today is a milestone in the project and it's the right decision."

East Berwickshire representative Ms Hamilton, of the Conservatives, added: "As executive member it's my duty to ensure we provide the best education for our young people.

"Offering this modern and up-to-date facility is just the right thing to do in the Scottish Borders.

"We owe our young people a top-class facility for learning and the community a space for all community activities."