Plans to expand Gretna Primary School are being opposed by two nearby businesses due to concerns about parking.
The school is set to be extended with two additional temporary classrooms for at least three years due to an anticipated climb in pupil roll numbers.
A planning application has been submitted by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education department for the installation of a double modular building at the rear of the school building to provide extra teaching capacity.
However, objections to the move have been lodged with council planning chiefs by Hunters Lodge Hotel and Gretna Bowling Club, which are both situated next to the school.
Gretna Bowling Club and the hotel owners are not against the expansion in principle, but have raised concerns about a lack of parking provision and the potential for damage to the existing access road.
Garry Dodd, of Hunters Lodge Hotel, said: “Gretna is expanding dramatically with a lot of new houses, and the parking issues outside schools are ongoing.
“Our guests cars are getting blocked in frequently.
“Sometimes you can’t get in and out of my car park because people have blocked the entrance.
“I understand the need to expand the school – but you should also provide extra parking facilities.
“In 1996 we put a four-bedroom extension onto the hotel.
“It wasn’t a large extension but I was asked to increase car parking facilities because I was increasing the size of the hotel.
“I feel that if the school is increasing its capacity then they should be providing extra parking.”
However, there are no plans within this expansion for more parking spaces as the council believes there is already sufficient provision.
The planning report states: “The council roads officer notes that the proposal would allow for a gradual increase in capacity of one teacher and one classroom.
“Within their response, they note that the national roads development guide requires one parking space per staff member and there is capacity within the existing car park.
“They also note that there are existing waiting restrictions within the vicinity of the school.”
Council planning chiefs have recommended that the temporary expansion plans are approved, however councillors will make the final decision at next Wednesday’s planning committee.
The need for additional classrooms has been raised by parents and teachers due to a lack of adequate space within the school.
Fears were also expressed fears about the pupil roll climbing rapidly further down the line due to new housing in Gretna.
