This artist’s impression shows how a new and improved Kilpatrick School could look if development proposals get the go ahead.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee will consider plans to extend Kilpatrick Primary School to incorporate a pre-school unit, whilst also building a new secondary school and refurbishing the existing hydrotherapy pool at the Clydebank campus.

Kilpatrick primary and secondary schools provide education for children who have additional support needs and currently have a combined roll of 152 pupils, with 48 full-time and 37 part-time staff.

The planned pre-school unit would cater for 10 children who would be taught by a further four members of staff and offer a modern facility for KEYS (Kilpatrick Early Years Service). Under the proposals the existing secondary school would be demolished and a new synthetic grass pitch installed in that area of the 3.4-hectre site.

Designed to replace the existing 1960s building, the new secondary school would be single-storey throughout and feature three classrooms, or wings, which run off a single corridor that connects the primary school extension and refurbished pool. The development would see all three facilities become one building, with courtyards with sensory planting installed outside alongside space for outdoor teaching.

Ted McGee of Clydebank Special Needs Forum said: “I think it is great that West Dunbartonshire Council is thinking about special needs education when it comes to 3G pitches and sensory gardens. A more modern school with all those facilities can only be a good thing.” Mr McGee said the redeveloped school would benefit not just Clydebank children but those across West Dunbartonshire who receive both primary and secondary education there.

The mass development, scheduled to get underway in June, has been recommended for approval by West Dunbartonshire Council planners.

The contemporary design of the building - finished in a mixture of brick, coloured cement panels, timber cladding and glazing - has been deemed suitable within the woodland site.

Meanwhile residents’ concerns about traffic and disruption during the construction period have been addressed with a list of 23 conditions planners recommend be attached to any permission.

Parking has also been considered in the planning application which includes a dedicated drop off area and a further 17 parking spaces. An additional 19 parking spaces are also available at the former occupational health centre nearby.

Pupils at the Kilpatrick schools would continue to be taught at the school during the construction period, should planning permission be granted.

Councillors will vote on the school proposal at the next meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee on April 29.