We are delighted to announce that the planning application for a new primary school at Blindwells, submitted on behalf of East Lothian Council, has been approved at Planning Committee!

The approved plans are for a design which adheres to Passivhaus principles and will deliver a two stream primary school with 14 classrooms providing education for 420 children and an early years facility for up to 100 2-5 year olds. The primary school’s site is at the heart of the new community of Blindwells and it will play a key role in forming a successful and vibrant neighbourhood. Overall, the design has been developed to reflect the area’s industrial heritage and to unify the various styles and types of buildings across the wider site.

Cabinet member for Education, Families and Children’s Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “Our vision is for a vibrant community at Blindwells with a modern primary school which is at the heart of this newly-created neighbourhood. Schools provide a focal point in any community, and we are keen that the new space benefits the wider area while providing high quality learning for the generations of children who will attend.”

“A design that takes account of Passivhaus principles will deliver an energy efficient building that inspires learners and supports our ambitions for a low carbon community at Blindwells. I am pleased that the planning application has been approved and we can now move forward with the delivery of one of our newest schools.

We are delighted that Blindwells Primary School has been granted Planning Permission, an exciting and key milestone for this project. We recognise the significance of this building in the context of the wider masterplan and we are looking forward to working with East Lothian Council, Hub South East Scotland, Balfour Beatty and the wider Design Team on the construction of this new primary school for the emerging Blindwells community…”

– Claire Davie, jmarchitects Associate

Credit: Claire Davie, jmarchitects Edinburgh