PROPOSED investment in the councils schools estate could see a raft of local schools set to benefit - including a potential new campus for Doon Academy and Dalmellington Primary.

East Ayrshire Council this week approved the allocation of £500 million of funding and extended its General Services Capital Investment Programme until 2025/26.

At a Cabinet meeting last week, councillors gave the green light for funding to be set aside for local schools.

Included within the allocated money is an £18.5 million shot in the arm for Dalmellington in the form of a new campus for Doon Academy and Dalmellington Primary and Early Childhood Centre on the site of the existing campus.

In the report presented before Cabinet last Wednesday, April 20, it was revealed that a condition survey has highlighted a number of significant issues which require to be addressed as a matter of urgency, including replacement of the existing heating system and rewiring of the entire building.

However, any proposed works would be hampered by asbestos throughout the building.

The current building has had asbestos problems dating back to 2002. Due to the location of the asbestos it would be impossible to remove it.

As a result of the serious issues within the building the council have deemed it "uneconomical and unfeasible" to carry out any refurbishment work and a new campus has been proposed.

The current Doon Academy only has an occupancy of 67 per cent.

Discussions are now set to be conducted with the Scottish Futures Trust to secure the Doon Academy investment.

Property Maintenance staff will now work with Health and Safety to provide enhanced monitoring of the current campus until a new campus is constructed.

Speaking at last Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, Council Leader Douglas Reid said: "It's a massive investment, £500 million of council investment.

"Every secondary campus right across East Ayrshire will have a first class, A class facility and that's the ambition we have got for the young people in our communities.

"I mentioned in my budget the year before last that we hadn't forgotten about Loudoun, Doon and Stewarton and I think this paper demonstrates that we have not forgotten about these three school areas.

"We have commitment to Doon Academy. Although it's had issues in terms of school roll, it's our smallest school and there's a bit vulnerability there. But the future for Doon Academy is very healthy. It's a very good school and a very good community and the council is standing by its community."

Councillor Stephanie Primrose said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the amount of money that is going in to our education buildings. We go about and see these phenomenal buildings. We see the experiences these children are having. This is an incredibly ambitious programme and I'm absolutely delighted to see the detail."

Netherthird Primary could also be in line for £1.77 million of investment for improvement works.

Councillors also approved an allocation of £175,000 to resurface the road at Woodroad Park in Cumnock.

The paper submitted to Cabinet also noted that Logan Primary requires around £690,000 of investment to repair heating and electrical systems as well as windows, doors and the roof.

As part of the programme it is also proposed that around £4 million of capital funding over 2016/17 and 2017/18 is made to reduce the risk of flooding in Skares as soon as possible.