COUNCILLORS have backed plans to build a new secondary school on part of Coatbridge’s best-loved beauty spot despite receiving hundreds of objections. Members of the Learning and Leisure Services committee voted for the new co-located St Ambrose High and Drumpark School to be built on part of Drumpellier Park. Plans to build the multi-million pound school on the current football pitches at Townhead Road, sparked outrage amid concerns about the loss of green space, as well as the fact that the site forms part of an old mine. But the majority of committee members last week voted for the most controversial of three options, which also included plans to build on the existing site or on land known locally as the Daisy Park. North Lanarkshire Council originally advertised their plans for the new school, which forms part of the Schools and Centres 21 programme of school modernisation, in October. But the consultation period was extended until earlier this month following a flood of objections from residents. Almost 500 individuals and groups responded to the plans, and petition letters signed by more than 500 locals were received. The results of ballots of more than 1300 pupils were also placed before the committee last Tuesday with the majority stating their preferred option was the Townhead Road site. Townhead Road resident Joe Ambrose said: “We don’t dispute the fact that these children need a new school, but we do disagree with the decision to build it at Townhead Road. “It’s the most expensive option and will take away green space from the people of Coatbridge and beyond. “It also used to be a landfill site and mine, so how long is this school going to last? Maybe they’ll take more of our park when they need to re-build it.” A Lochview Road resident, who asked not to be named, added: “I take my grandchildren for a walk there every day. “It goes without saying that a new school is desperately needed, but to build it upon land that should be available for the enjoyment of everyone in Coatbridge is farcical. “The school isn’t going to be built for another few years and most of the kids that are there now aren’t going to benefit from it anyway, so why only ballot them? Why the council didn’t ballot the residents as well I don’t know.” Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Resources, said: “I am pleased that Townhead Road has been selected as the preferred site for the new schools as it provides much more scope for us to deliver the type of education and community facilities our residents deserve. "I am well aware of the issues raised by those who did not select this site and, while we take these on board, we do not agree that these issues prevent us from delivering major new facilities for the communities in north Coatbridge. “Much of the green and wooded space will be retained, with the core area of Drumpellier Park untouched.” The committee’s decision on the new school for St Ambrose will now go forward to the full meeting of North Lanarkshire Council on Thursday, February 7, for ratification. | 
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