- Why was this site shortlisted?
- Could an alternative site be considered?
- There is lots of space at the bottom of Boghead Rd. Even if there is a sewer underneath, couldn't this be moved and this site used rather than take away Waterside's one area for games, community gathering and fitness (affecting the health and wellbeing of generations of Watersiders to come)?
- Where would the Council suggest Waterside hold future galas if we lose this space? The Waterside community has been becoming more active and community-spirited again in recent years. Are the Council aware that by taking away this space for community activities they could destroy this positive development?
- Merkland School has a lot of land round it. Wouldn't this be usable? And it's within a short distance of Merkland Nature Park (perfect for outdoor education).
- What about Whitegates (behind Monkland Ave.)?
- Aren't parents being short-changed if the Council has knowingly selected a site that will pit the interests of their children against those of the existing community? Hasn't the Council failed in their duty to find more appropriate sites?
- Do the local schools have the capacity to support the ASN pupils in view of the additional families coming in from Braes O' Yetts developement?
Comments:
Green belt: This site is green belt in the local plan.
Pitch: The pitch has had a lot of investment recently (£100,000) and is "the best" grass pitch in East Dunbartonshire and used regularly. A local football coach said finding pitches in East Dunbartonshire was already "like finding hen's teeth". Building here would make the situation worse.
The pitch is included in the EDC Pitch Strategy so a replacement would be required - has a replacement site been identified?
The site has poor drainage.
Traffic: Waterside Road and Bankhead Road do not have the capacity to take all the extra traffic the school will generate.
There are three coach companies operating out of Waterside. There is already congestion at rush hours. Waterside Road will become busier because of the new development at Braes o' Yetts.
Play facilities: Children in Waterside need the green space.
The play facilities for children in Waterside are poor and only suitable for under-fives (despite Council promises to replace the swing park they used for building housing some years ago).
There are no other facilities for the children of Waterside to play outdoors - parents feel able to allow children to visit the football pitch without supervision; access to the school grounds is no substitute.
How to support wellbeing in Waterside if children cannot exercise locally? How are our youngsters to combat obesity?
Village status: Rural identity/location of the village will be lost.
Shared facilities: It is hard to see that there will be much space for any shared exercise facilities once parking is properly factored in. ASN schools have a far higher ratio of staff to pupils than other schools, and there are also visiting specialists. Moreover, all children are likely to arrive by cars, minibuses or coaches.