Pub near primary could go ahead

Heathhall Primary school is due to be completed in 2010

Campaigners who oppose plans to build a pub near to a new primary school in the Heathhall area of Dumfries have been told they have no grounds for appeal.

Dumfries and Galloway council had refused Calmac Developments permission to set up the bar but this decision was overturned by a government official.

Councillors had hoped to challenge the move but a report by the local authority could find no legal basis.

Healthhall Primary is due to open in spring 2010.

It is currently under construction at a site adjacent to the former Dumfries and Galloway College.

'Disappointed'

Councillor Jeff Leaver said the local community was disappointed by the report, which will be handed to councillors on Tuesday.

He said: "I did actually go to Heathhall community council and broke the bad news to them and gave them copies of the report. And I must say they were all very, very disappointed that a decision appears to have been made that there are no grounds for appeal.

"They have nothing against having a public house in Heathhall but it's the positioning, right in front of the school, that's the problem.

"We try to educate people into drinking sensibly. I do think it sends out the wrong message and it goes totally against what the Scottish Government is saying at the moment about drinking and young people."

A total of nine new schools are being built in Dumfries and Galloway as part of a multi-million pound public private partnership programme.