North Ayrshire Council have revealed the findings of a report into plans to create a new 3-18 years education and community campus.

The proposal is part of the Scottish Government’s ‘Scotland’s Learning Estate’ strategy.

The campus would involve the closure and relocation of Ardrossan Academy and Winton Primary School. Dykesmains Primary School, Stanley Primary School and West Kilbride Primary School would also be affected by the plans as pupils normally transfer to Ardrossan Academy for their secondary education.

Plans to relocate the Ardrossan library and for a dedicated HCSP Centre are also being considered. The new campus would aim to create more social spaces such as a community café and a six-lane swimming pool.

The Consultation Report revealed that 80 per cent of those surveyed were in favour of building a new campus on the North Shore site, with 84 per cent of Ardrossan Academy Pu pils in favour. Young people and children from various schools were actively involved in the consultation process as well as parents/carers and staff, community groups and the wider community.

Pupils cited better work experience opportunities and a need for more modern educational facilities as reasons for supporting the project.

Councillor John Bell, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Employment, said: “With a proposal of this scale and importance it is absolutely vital that all stakeholders have been consulted throughout.

“We have followed the statutory process and our pre-engagement events and consultation events have ensured everyone has had a chance to give their input.

“We would like to thank everyone who has engaged in this consultation process.”

However some young people felt that traffic management and poor weather conditions would need to be carefully considered due to the “remote” nature of the site. There were concerns that the site might not be able to cope with the volume of traffic generated by the new campus.

North Ayrshire Council said that a Transport Assessment would be an integral part of the planning process.

North Ayrshire Council will make its final decision on the proposal at a meeting of the Council onMarch 25. If successful, the new campus is due to be on site early 2022.