A new nursery is set to be built in Milton to help meet childcare targets as the council prepares to award a £4.6m contract.

Plans for an early learning and childcare facility and community centre on Shapinsay Street were approved in November last year. 

Now, officials are recommending a £4.6m contract for the work is awarded to hub West Scotland — which works with the public sector to construct facilities like schools and leisure centres — when councillors meet on Thursday.

Scaraway Nursery School and charity North United Communities (NUC) are set to move into the hub, which will be on land previously used by Glasgow School for the Deaf.

Work is expected to be completed by January 2026. The nursery is being developed as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to provide 1140 hours of free childcare to all three and four-year-olds.

A council report stated: “Glasgow was awarded a total of £44.1m of capital funding from the Scottish Government to spend on projects which would enable and advance the 1140 hour entitlement for families in the city.

“A project to develop a new build facility at Scaraway in Milton was a project that was allocated £5.3m funding as part of the new build theme.”

At the same time, a project to deliver community facilities in the area received £1.4m of funding from the Scottish Government’s regeneration capital grant fund.

Officials decided the two projects should be delivered in one building. Both funding awards have been combined to make a total project budget of £6.7m. 

The council report added challenges “encountered during the design development phase” had “created delays in the procurement and commencement of this project”.

The project was put out to tender by hub West Scotland in August and a final construction price of £4.35m from Fleming Buildings Ltd is seen as “the most financially advantageous offer” and “best value”.

The total £6.7m total budget covers the £4.6m contract with hub West Scotland, which includes project contingencies and fees, and already completed enabling works of almost £339,000.

There is almost £1.7m for costs including design team fees, fit-out of the building, furniture, fixture and equipment, ICT and ancillaries.

A statement submitted with the planning application added: “Both the nursery and the NUC will be provided with a dedicated suite of accommodation as well as access to shared community spaces.

“The project vision is to deliver an exemplar facility for the community of Milton. The building should aspire to become the new heart of the community.”

NUC, an organisation “dedicated to strengthening local communities”, approached the council in 2018 to ask for support to develop a new base in Milton. Plans stated NUC’s current accommodation is “no longer fit for purpose”.