Planing permission has been granted for a new school and community campus in Faifley, Scotland, that is designed to meet the Passivhaus standard.
The campus in the West Dunbartonshire town consists of a two primary schools, a nursery and ASN (additional support needs) provision, along with a host of community facilities, including a library.
As well as meeting the Passivhaus standards, the facility will also meet the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standards.
As such, the new campus will require little energy for space heating or cooling, which will drive down running costs and carbon emissions.
Councillor Lawrence O’Neil, chair of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee, said: “This is great news for Faifley and is the most significant capital investment since the area was built. While the current buildings have served the community well, I am pleased to see this approved at planning and we can now take forward the new learning and community facilities which will be a real improvement for the young people and community of Faifley.
“The campus will bring together two primary schools and two early learning centres and an additional support needs base and be home to a community library. I am keen to see work starting on this project which will not only be welcomed by children and young people.”
The campus will replace the existing St Joseph’s and Edinbarnet primary schools, Auchnacraig and Lennox early learning and childcare centres and the Skypoint community centre with modern, accessible facilities that benefit from significantly reduced maintenance and running costs, as well as low carbon emissions.
Designs and colour palettes for the facility take inspiration from the nearby Cochno Stone, a large rock that features Bronze Age carvings. The cup and ring pattern found on the stone is referenced in both the building’s interior and exterior.
Ruaridh Nicol, associate at Holmes Miller, said: “We’ve designed the new campus as a sustainable and inclusive facility that will provide the people of Faifley not only with a high-quality educational building, but also indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities for all ages, that will enhance lives.
“We’ve taken on board the views of local people while designing the campus, and hope that the end result will be a building which the whole community can be proud of.”
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