A new £15.1 million campus which will transform the education of hundreds of pupils in Renton has been given the go ahead.

The campus, to be built on the current grounds of the school, will include a new Renton Primary School, a new language and communication unit and a new Riverside Early Learning and Childcare Centre.

Plans show children that will have increased spaces for playing outside in a new three storey building, with classrooms linking to outdoor areas on each floor.

The go-ahead, which was agreed by West Dunbartonshire Council at a meeting last week, has been welcomed by parents and by education and planning bosses.

Pamela Clifford, chief planning officer at the council, said: "When complete, this will be a modern, purpose-built campus, with the capability increase outdoor learning, support more children with additional needs and also address the future

needs of the area.”

Laura Mason, chief education officer said the council was committed to investing in young people by enhancing educational facilities and in turn increasing opportunities to attain and achieve.

She added: "This new campus will transform the education of our current pupils by moving them to a brand new purpose-built learning environment and I know this has been welcomed by parents and carers.”

Lynne Dempster, head teacher at Renton Primary School, said there are clear educational benefits for pupils to learn in such a modern building and she looked forward to seeing work on the site progress.

Louise Colman from the parent council said: “We are delighted that planning permission has now been granted. It is great news for the Renton community and we can’t wait for the kids to be in the brand new school.”

Two rooms on each level of the campus will be dedicated to pupils within the language and communications unit.

In addition, a new multi-use sports pitch and playground area will be built on the site of the current school which will be demolished once the new building is complete.

The plans were submitted to West Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning authority following extensive pre-application discussion including a number of public engagement drop in sessions, in which parents, carers and residents were invited to give their feedback.

Materials used in the construction will be chosen to enhance the regeneration of the village and blend in with the Category ‘A’ listed Smollet Monument and the ’B’ listed war memorial situated close to the site.

Careful consideration has been given to traffic and parking around the new campus with plans to introduce a one-way drop-off zone entering at Station Street, exiting at Back Street.

The plans outline 68 designated parking spaces within the site for the new campus, six of these being accessible bays.