ANOTHER significant milestone in the Knockroon Learning and Enterprise Campus project has been reached.

Following the earlier appointment of architects Sheppard Robson, Morrison Construction have been selected to deliver the £63.5million superschool.

Subject to planning approval, it will be the biggest capital project undertaken by East Ayrshire Council in its history, with a two-stage design and build process being used.

Consultations have taken place involving pupils, parents and teachers from the local schools, together with representatives from sports clubs and community groups.

They were invited to attend a series of presentations by bidding contractors and encouraged to give their feedback.

Eddie Robertson, managing director of Morrison Construction, said: “This project is a major investment in education and well-being provision for the communities of Cumnock, Auchinleck and the surrounding area and we are very excited to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to make these plans a reality.

“The development will create a modern, long lasting facility for pupils, staff and the community.

“We will continue our engagement with school and community stakeholders throughout the construction programme and create excellent education and employment opportunities which ensure positive local impact and legacy benefits.”

The five schools that will be located on the new 19.8 hectare campus are Greenmill Primary School and Early Childhood Centre, Barshare Primary School, Supported Learning Centre and Early Childhood Centre, Hillside School, Auchinleck Academy and Cumnock Academy and Supported Learning Centre.

Proposals also include further education and business enterprise facilities as well as recreational environment for the whole community.

Subject to completion of all necessary consultations and procurement procedures, construction is planned to begin in July, with an opening scheduled for 2019.

Among those supporting the project is the parent council of Greenmill Primary School.

A representative of the group said: “The parent council is broadly supportive of the location and general build specification and layout submitted in the latest formal plans.

“We welcome the investment in the education provision for our local area as well as the commitment to improving the sports and recreational facilities within the planned development.”

Among those objecting to the campus was Barshare Primary Parent Council who have five main reasons for opposing the plans.

They are concerned with the scale of roadworks; the proximity to a main road with high volumes of traffic; its location at the very edge of the Cumnock catchment area; loss of an integrated set of facilities for the community: and placing next to sewage works.