PLANS for a second Dargavel school with a minimum capacity of 700 will move forward “immediately” – if councillors offer their backing on Thursday.

Renfrewshire Council has already held talks with BAE Systems about securing land for the building and a report covering key issues such as site selection and timescales is set to be brought forward in May.

Using available evidence, consultant Edge Analytics predicted the number of primary pupils should peak at 1131 by 2033 – but the data specialist also calculated that space could be needed for as many as 1,500 if current demand was to continue long-term.

However, officers have said the higher figure is “considered a potential maximum scenario” and “should be treated with an appropriate degree of caution” in a paper which will go before this week’s education and children’s services policy board.

As a result, it has been recommended that initial planning is focused on a projected roll of 1131, while preparations for an additional school of at least 700 pupils should progress straight away.

Contingency plans are also expected to be drawn up in a bid to address demand if the high rate of admissions does not slow down.

Edge’s roll projection exercise also found the characteristics of Dargavel Village, which is set to have 4000 homes by 2034, demonstrate the “potential for unprecedented growth” when compared to other large-scale developments in the United Kingdom.

The number of children requiring primary education will need to be monitored year on year to determine whether 2023 admissions represent either a spike or a trend going forward.

Steven Quinn, the council’s director of children’s services, told parents and carers last month: “The new school will require capacity for around 700 pupils.

“As part of our long-term planning, we will develop further options to give us the flexibility to increase primary school capacity in the wider area, should it look likely to be needed.

“We are already in discussions with the landowner BAE Systems over securing land within the Dargavel development for a new school and will continue that as a priority.

“We estimate the project to design and build a new school will take around 36 to 42 months, from start to finish.

“We will provide a firmer timeline for this once the site of the new school is agreed.”

The existing primary school in Arrochar Drive, Bishopton, opened in January last year after delays to construction because of the Covid-19 pandemic.