PARENTS from a Dunfermline primary school have been urged to have their say on new temporary classrooms which could reduce the size of the playground.

Members of Pittencrieff Primary's Parent Council have been canvassing parental opinion after they learned that structures to house two classrooms could be introduced.

As reported in the Press in November, developers of the Pilmuir Works were told they would have to contribute £250,000 for the additional facilities as part of the conditions of their planning permission.

An email to parents and carers said the current plan would see an existing shelter demolished and a reduction of playground space.

Fears were expressed that this would impact on the PE time available to classes, the toilet facilities and on lunchtime arrangements.

The letter added: "We are seeking the views of parents to present to the local authority. Along with an alternative proposal that the building adjacent to the school, currently used by janitorial services and due for renovation, could be adapted to provide a more permanent solution."

Head of education and children's services, Shelagh McLean, said the proposal for additional temporary classes at Pittencrieff Primary was in response to the redevelopment of brownfield land and conversion of the Category A-listed buildings at Pilmuir Works.

"The redevelopment will see investment in the area to create a mixed use development and protect the existing built heritage assets," she explained. 

"The Pilmuir Works development is within the McLean Primary School catchment area. There are no spare classrooms at McLean Primary School.

"The school has been extended in the past and space exists in the school grounds for temporary huts but there is an existing agreement for that space to be used for temporary accommodation for another development which also falls within the McLean catchment. No further temporary classes can sit in the McLean school.

"The council has investigated options to use other schools nearby and concluded Pittencrieff Primary School is closest to the development site and has scope to accommodate a temporary class module within its grounds, and it was agreed that a temporary modular unit could be placed in the grounds of Pittencrieff Primary School to accommodate new pupils from this development.

"It is expected that the hut could be in place for August 2020 and the timing will be dependent upon the number of pupils entering the school roll at that time. 

"The addition of this modular unit will be co-ordinated with the headteacher. There will be no impact on existing toilet facilities and the temporary accommodation will be fully accessible with toilet facilities.

"In a number of schools, the lunchtime arrangements are managed by the headteacher to ensure best use of the dining space."