Probe demanded over delay in creating new pitch for Lenzie Academy

WHY were plans to create a state-of-the-art sports pitch at a secondary school delayed?
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Aug 2012, 17:04 BST

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That’s the question being asked by a concerned councillor.

East Dunbartonshire Council says work will start on the new pitch at Lenzie Academy on Monday, August 27.

The £390,000 project is due to be completed by early December.

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But Lenzie and Kirkintilloch South councillor Gillian Renwick says the work should have been started at the beginning of the school summer holidays.

She said: “This will totally disrupt the first term, it’s unacceptable.

“We have been talking about this since last November.

“Lenzie Academy is the biggest secondary school in the area and its PE department will be disrupted for the first term. It should not have got to this stage.

“There has to be an investigation to find out what has gone wrong.”

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The pitch plans were given unanimous backing by the council’s planning board at a meeting earlier this month.

However, the project has received 18 objections from residents, who fear the new pitch could increase traffic, noise and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Councillor Alan Moir, convener of the council’s development and infrastructure committee, said: “It’s unfortunate there has been a delay, but it’s better we get it right and deliver a fantastic facility for pupils. There’s no need for an investigation and had Councillor Renwick stayed for the full meeting on Tuesday [August 14], that would have been explained had she asked.

“While I’m disappointed that work wasn’t able to start earlier, I’m delighted that the pupils of Lenzie Academy are soon to benefit from this top quality sports provision.

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“Because the council is currently working to improve drainage in the area around the school, we are ensuring that construction of the new pitch does not have any adverse flood impact.

“The drainage design is now complete and a site start is programmed for Monday, August 27, with a 14 week contract period giving an anticipated completion date of Friday, December 7.”

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Related topics:East Dunbartonshire Council