The new facilities will address capacity issues in the existing schools and significantly enhance community facilities in their areas.

Councillor Michael McBride, convener of Education, welcomed the approval of the projects: “These developments are crucial for our growing communities. The expansion at Chryston High School will provide much-needed capacity for pupils and staff. At the same time, the St Stephen’s Community Hub will serve as a valued resource for the wider community.

“We are committed to ensuring that our new town and community hubs provide first-class facilities for our residents both now and in the future.”

The extension and remodelling of Chryston High School will increase the school’s capacity by 500 pupils, addressing the demands of the new housing developments in the area.

The project will include general teaching facilities, outdoor teaching areas, new sports facilities, and an Early Years Centre. The existing school building will also undergo internal remodelling.

Initial site enabling works, including fencing, is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the main construction starting in early 2025.

Meanwhile, the St Stephen’s Community Hub will feature a new primary school, a Language and Communication Support Centre (LCSC), a nursery class, and extensive community and sports facilities.

The new facility will have the capacity to accommodate 483 children.

It will be located on the combined site of the existing St Stephen’s Primary and the recently demolished Sikeside Primary School, which moved to its new home in the Riverbank community hub last year.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2025. The site, which will be fully landscaped, will also include new car parking areas.

The plans were approved at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Thursday, August 15, 2024.