THERE are plans to convert an office block in Halbeath into a school – next to Fife Council’s new £4.5 million super depot. 

Care Holdings Ltd have applied for a change of use from business to non-residential institution for Sovereign House, on Crossgates Road. 

Their legal advisers confirmed they propose to turn it into a school for up to 30 pupils. 

It’s understood it would not be a mainstream school run by the local authority.

The council had bought Sovereign House, as well as the adjacent Kingdom Services and Regency House, for a combined total of just over £2million last December as part of their plans to establish a super depot for four services and around 380 staff. 

It was then deemed surplus to requirements and they hoped to sell it for £350,000. 

Care Holdings have now bought the building and submitted a planning application to the council for the change of use. 

Lamonts Solicitors are acting as their legal advisers and in a letter they confirmed the plan is for the school to operate Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. 

There may be occasional use at weekends, including using the property for hosting open evenings for parents/carers or visits by friends to review the work of pupils in attendance at the school. 

The letter added: “It is anticipated that the number of pupils in attendance at the school will not exceed 30. 

“Pupils will be transported to and from the school by cars driven by staff members with groups of pupils travelling in each car. The number of staff members to be based at Sovereign House is expected to be around 10.”

No-one from Care Holdings or Lamonts was available to comment.