Councillors will be told next week of the cost of contractors Willmott Dixon Construction Limited and other allowances for the planned Menzieshill facility, a figure which the council said can be funded by additional borrowing.

Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “This contract was let in a rigorous and thorough way, including market-testing and an assurance that only firms which pay or are actively working towards the Living Wage will be able to tender for work on the site.

“The additional expenditure is made up of an abnormal level of site works, including retaining walls, screening of previous demolition materials and the need for more robust foundations.

“It also includes items that were not covered in the original budget eg photo-voltaic panels, a Multi Use Games Area pitch for the school and the community and improvements to Dickson Avenue and Earn Crescent.”

Stewart Hunter, convener of the city council’s education committee, added: “When the new school and nursery are completed pupils, parents and staff will see a huge improvement in the facilities and educational environment.

“As well as developing what is currently an empty site in the heart of Menzieshill the new school and nursery will become a focus for community activity in the area.”

A report to go to the council’s city development committee on January 25 notes that the works comprise the construction of a two storey three-stream primary school designed for an anticipated school roll of 650 pupils and a 70 full time equivalent (FTE) nursery school for three to five year olds, with a separate nursery area for up to 30 FTE two year olds.

Vehicle access to the main school car park will be from Dickson Avenue with a pupil drop-off facility and small nursery car park accessed from Earn Crescent, as is the service yard.

The work, which will start in spring this year and be completed for the August 2017 term, is expected to create four new start employment opportunities, five apprenticeships and 13 work experience opportunities for city school pupils during the course of the build.