THE future of two nearby Haddington primary schools is set to come under public scrutiny.

The Courier revealed in October that consideration was being given to Haddington Infant School and the town’s King’s Meadow Primary School becoming a single school.

Now members of the public are able to have their say.

The parent councils of both schools released a joint statement in October.

May Matthews, chairwoman of Haddington Infant School parent council, and Meg Pathirana, chairwoman of King’s Meadow Primary School parent council, told the Courier: “The decision of East Lothian Council to propose the amalgamation of Haddington Infant School and King’s Meadow Primary School has come as a surprise to both parent councils.

“The idea was raised, consulted and then voted upon by parents of both schools roughly five years ago with a clear majority preferring the schools to remain separate.

“We will work in the coming weeks to determine current views of parents and ensure these are represented.”

READ MORE: Haddington schools may be set for merger

Haddington Infant School, on the town’s Tynebank Road, caters for children from nursery to primary three, with a school roll of more than 300 and a further 40 youngsters at the nursery.

Meanwhile, King’s Meadow Primary School, located just yards away on Neilson Park Road, is home to 350 pupils in P4-7.

If approved, the two schools would ‘close’ with effect from August, or as soon as possible afterwards.

The new school, which would continue to operate on a split site between the existing buildings and facilities, would then be opened.

The consultation on the future of the schools runs until February 26, with information on eastlothianconsultations.co.uk

If it were to go-ahead, the creation of a new school, which would come under “one shared management team”, would not be the only new school in Haddington.

Plans have already been approved for the building of a new primary school, which is yet to be named, within the Letham Mains development.

More than 800 houses will be built on the site, which is to the west of the town between West Road and Pencaitland Road, with construction work expected to get under way within a matter of weeks.