SCHOOLS in East Lothian need an estimated £135 million additional investment over the next 10 years to cope with the county’s growing population, says a new report.

East Lothian is facing an influx of families, with 10,000 new homes expected to be delivered across its communities by 2028.

East Lothian Council estimates it will have to find at least £30 million itself – with additional money from housing developers and the Scottish Government required.

A report before councillors at last Tuesday’s cabinet meeting in Haddington said that one new secondary school and three new or replacement primary schools were needed to meet established and future demand – no locations have been identified in the report.

It added that the council would also need to fund “extensions and alterations to approximately 17 existing primary schools for similar reasons”.

The report also revealed that the council would have to extend and alter a further 12 primary schools, as well as creating two new early year centres, to meet an increase in early learning and childcare hours from 600 to 1,140 hours.

The report, which outlines the council’s Community Asset Strategy and Management Plan for the next five years, states: “Investment in new or extended facilities is directed towards those areas of infrastructure which are required to support growth in the authority and in particular in the education/learning estate. Investment of approximately £135 million is required in the school estate over the period to 2030.”