Letham Primary School is being developed at Letham Mains on the west side of the town. The site was zoned for housing in East Lothian Council’s Local Development Plan and planning approval has been given for 800 new homes.

The council secured legally binding agreements with housebuilders to achieve the funding needed to build the new facility.

Morrison Construction was awarded the £8.63 million contract following a competitive tender process. The firm has previously worked on the Haddington Primary/ St Mary’s Primary joint campus and is in the finishing stages of the new Wallyford Primary School. It is currently developing the new East Lothian Community Hospital.

East Lothian Council’s cabinet member for education, Councillor Shamin Akhtar, said: “Work is well underway at Letham Mains to provide 800 new homes, including affordable houses, for our community. I’m pleased that the contract has been awarded for Letham Primary School and this important part of the development can move forward. I look forward to following its progress.”

Letham Primary School will have 14 classrooms suitable for pre-school and primary teaching, a dining hall, social space and a two court PE hall with retractable seating for performance and community use. The external areas will be designed for outdoor learning, PE and play.

Work is due to start on site in February with estimated completion in summer 2020.