MSP claims 'money put before pupils' at new school site

THE GAP SITE that has been ear-marked for the location of the new "super-school" was chosen because the council were unable to make any money on it, an MSP has claimed this week.

Five schools across the west end are to be closed -all of which are in prime land- and amalgamated into one, which will be located on the site in Gibson Street and Otago Street which is currently used for parking by local businesses and residents. It has now emerged that the land wouldn't make any money for the council if sold to developers due to the drainage problems that the land faces.

The site has been valued at £2.5million, but reductions would mean that it would end up being sold for nothing. On the other hand, the sites that the five schools are located, Notre Dame, Billhead, Willowbank, Kelvinhaugh and St Peter's, stand to make the council huge sums of cash if sold to property developers. MSP Sandra White said: "It looks like they are putting money before pupils. Rather than let the land go for free the council will use it though parents are worried about the location.

"The decision to choose Gibson Street makes a mockery of consultation." A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "This is the only spare land in the area owned by the council and it meets the requirements." West End News