Demolition begins in Aberlady Primary School development

Sheds and an outbuilding are currently being removed from the grounds to give contractors access for construction work, while a number of rooms inside the school are also being refurbished.

The work forms part of a year-long project to create a new nursery to primary two hub at the village school.

The third phase will see the new extension constructed, before final works are carried out inside the school and in the western playground.

Demolition works at Aberlady Primary School (Image: Pam Stout)

The fourth and final phase will involve internal refurbishment works, works in the western playground, the removal of temporary nursery units and reinstatement of a playing field.

The project began during the summer holidays and will provide new accommodation for the nursery, primary one and primary two pupils, who are expected to move into the extension in August next year.

Early years capacity is set to increase from 20 to 40 places.

The wider development also includes improvements to the school’s catering facilities, with a production kitchen being installed to allow hot meals to be prepared on site.

Planning permission for the extension was granted earlier this year and, following a competitive tender process, Henry Brothers was awarded the £3,967,796.01 contract.

As part of the construction arrangements, a strip of playing fields alongside the school’s eastern boundary has been set aside for the contractor’s compound and a temporary haul road for equipment.

The remainder of the sports fields remain available with the restricted area kept to a minimum to reduce disruption on residents.

Aberlady Community Association, Gullane Area Community Council and sports groups which use the pitches have been informed of the arrangements.

The temporary nursery units will be removed and the affected playing field reinstated during the final phase of the project.