A NEW primary school is to be built in the north of the city to cope with the growing population.

A public meeting and consultation will be held on the preferred site for the non-denominational school at Kelvinside Avenue, the former site of North Kelvinside Secondary.

After decades of population loss, the population of the city is growing again.

Over the next decade, the number of primary pupils is predicted to rise by as much as 18%.

A report to city councillors says: "This is particularly evident in parts of the north of the city due to the success of the council's regeneration strategies and planned housing developments over the coming years."

The 10 year forecast for Maryhill/Kelvin and Canal says the level of housing developments planned in the area over the next 10 years means there is a need for a new primary.

That would reduce the forecast capacity pressures on Cadder, Caldercuilt, Kelvindale, Parkview, Highpark, Dunard and Saracen primaries.

The report says there is a clear need for a new non-denominational school in the area for up to 434 children and Kelvinside Avenue is well located to meet the demand from the increasing number of primary pupils.

It adds: "The site is large enough to accommodate the proposed school as well as including additional community facilities in the form of an 11-a-side synthetic pitch and changing rooms and an early years establishment which would provided extended day and extended year provision."

The new school would result in changes to the catchment areas of the primary schools in the area but would ensure long term capacity to meet the demands of the growing number of primary pupils.

The report says: "If no action is taken to establish a new non-denominational primary school in the north of the city, the council will have insufficient primary school capacity to meet projected demand for places."

When the new school is built, some families who presently live in the catchment areas of Cadder, Caldercuilt, Kelvindale, Parkview, Highpark, Dunard, Saracen, Oakgrove and Royston primaries would no longer do so.

However, for seven years from the new school opening, the sibilings of children attending those schools would be entitled to join their brothers or sisters.

Consultation on the plan is due to start on November 7 and run until December 18 with public meetings planned for Maryhill Burgh Halls on November 15 and Highpark Primary on November 16.

The city council's executive committee which meets on Thursday has been asked to agree to the consultation.