PLANS for a new £28 million “super campus” in Faifley have been backed by councillors – despite concerns that the proposals would see too much squeezed on to a single site.

Members of the educational services committee at West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) gave their support to a new facility on the site of the existing St Joseph’s Primary School.

The campus will include a new St Joseph’s Primary, a new home for Edinbarnet Primary, an education resource centre, space for the Auchnacraig and Lennox early learning and childcare centres (ELCCs), an additional support needs base, a community library and other community spaces.

As previously reported in the Post, WDC consulted the public on three other possible sites – the current home of Edinbarnet, the present Auchnacraig ELCC, and the Skypoint community centre on Lennox Drive.

But a report prepared for the committee’s meeting on June 9 concluded that the St Joseph’s site on Faifley Road was the only realistic option for the campus.

Officials said the Edinbarnet site was limited by the presence of power lines north of the site, and the Skypoint option would create significant traffic problems.

The committee’s chair, Councillor Karen Conaghan, said: “This is something I hope will regenerate the area and add value to it.

“Everyone who has commented, and everyone who will comment, is really important to us.

“We want to use this as a springboard for further regeneration within the Faifley area.

“This will be a community facility as well.”

Councillor Martin Rooney, leader of the authority’s opposition group, called the plans “an exciting opportunity for Clydebank”, but asked whether the chosen site might become too crowded.

We’ve been asked to commit £28m for two new schools on one site,” he said.

“There is a sense that they are trying to squeeze too much onto a single site. We are told that the Edinbarnet site is big but doesn’t meet the bill.

“Given the amount of money we are spending it would not seem unreasonable to consider two sites.”

A council officer said the authority’s officials had looked “favourably” on the co-location model, but had not examined two straight replacements.

The report explained how only 25 people attended four “engagement sessions” on the three options last year, while there were another 243 online survey responses.

More than two in five of those who took part didn’t have children attending any of the schools or ELCCs in the area.

Cllr Conaghan added: “I want to ensure we work with all departments to maximize the benefits to the community.”