A NEW site has been earmarked for the £10million school to replace Moorpark Primary in Kilbirnie.

Planned to be completed by 2021, the new school has capital funds of £9.6million set aside and five sites were considered by a ‘cross-service’ group before the preferred plot was put to North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday).

The site of the former Garnock Academy, specifically the pitch area, was the one which scored highest against the set criteria and councillors gave it the green light at the meeting at Cunninghame House.

The advantages listed were: location within the catchment, it is currently owned by the council, it has relative flatness/good ‘buildability’, it’s size, transport considerations, use of this site leaves a regular, separately accessible site for future development on the remainder of the Garnock Academy/Moorpark PS site and no Statutory Public Consultation will be required

The current Moorpark Primary celebrated its 40th birthday last March with the whole school taking part in a talent show and parents and carers attending a coffee morning.

Councillor John Bell, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Employment, said: “Getting a new primary school for Kilbirnie was a commitment of ours and formed part of our 10-year capital plan.

“We are extremely excited now that we’ve reached this stage in finalising and agreeing on where the new school should be based. We looked at five sites in total and marked each against a set of criteria.

“The site on the playing fields ticks a lot of boxes. It’s close to the current school which is ideal for pupils and families, it’s on council-owned land and therefore readily available at no extra cost and is a good size. It is also, importantly, in a good condition for development.

“The site chosen scored well in all the criteria and we’re delighted that we can look forward to what promises to be an exciting time for young people in the area.”

Other sites considered for the new school were the site west of School Road, Kilbirnie, North Lochshore, and Kilbirnie Public Park.