Dumfries and Galloway education bosses look for planning green light for new Dumfries High School

Education bosses are seeking the green light from their planning colleagues for a brand new Dumfries High School.

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education department last week submitted a formal planning application seeking permission for a new build of the secondary school at a cost of £48m.

The planning papers described the development as: “Erection of secondary education facility with detached plant rooms and ampitheatre, formation of 3G pitch with viewing terrace, science and wellbeing gardens, external dining and seating terraces, attentuation basins, 72 car parking spaces, landscaping and association works (demolition of existing school, David Keswick Athletics Centre and Greystone Foundation Building).”

The bid to secure planning consent comes against a backdrop of financial warnings about rising construction costs.

At last month’s council education committee, councillors heard how the cost of construction materials have gone through the roof.

Fiona Carter from Dumfries and Galloway Council and Holly Pender from Ryder Architecture with the plans (Jim McEwan)

Steel prices have risen by 60 per cent since 2020, while mechanical, electrical and plumbing prices have more than doubled in some cases.

Work on the new school was scheduled to commence this spring, and it has been confirmed that the current building will stay in place until the completion date in 2025.

This means that pupils will be able to look on as their new high school takes shape, and watch each stage of the development project.
Ryder Architecture, which was named architectural practice of the year in 2021, was appointed to lead on the design of the new school. The company, which has offices from Glasgow and London to Hong Kong and Vancouver, impressed the headteacher and education officials with their proposals to create a stunning new Dumfries High by 2025.

At an education committee last year, several pupils, who are members of Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council, raised concerns about possible disruption to learners when the new building is being
constructed.

Larann Foss, the school’s estates manager, replied: “That is something that is a high priority in terms of how we deliver
this.

“We need to ensure that the minimum impact is felt from all the pupils at the high school during the construction phase.

“It is a tandem build, so we will not be touching the existing building until the new one is finished.”