A new primary school is to be built on the site of the former Hopefield Primary in Bonnyrigg.

Councillors approved a recommendation to build the two- stream non-denominational school to serve the additional pupils coming from new housing in the area, including the Hopefield Farm development.

It is anticipated that this school will be completed by Autumn 2018.

Councillors also agreed in principle to building a new school to replace St Mary’s Primary in Bonnyrigg. A feasibility study will be undertaken and a further report brought back to council.

An informal consultation on a range of possible options for primary school provision in Bonnyrigg, Lasswade and Rosewell was undertaken with parents, communities and stakeholders in December 2015 and January 2016. Details of the findings, options appraised and council’s decision can be found on the council’s consultations page.

The favoured option from that consultation was to build a new non-denominational school on the Hopefield site and there was strong support for replacing St Mary’s.

More details will emerge in the coming months as the feasibility study on St Mary’s is completed and planning progresses for the Hopefield build. Further consultation on primary school provision in Bonnyrigg and Lasswade will be undertaken in due course.