East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) is proposing the demolition of the existing Milngavie Nursery School on Hillcrest Street
If approved by planning chiefs, the facility would be replaced with ‘Milngavie Early Years Centre’, including landscaping, recreational areas, and associated infrastructure.
According to documents, a pre-application enquiry for the proposed development found it was “generally supported” as it is an existing use within the Milngavie Town Centre Conservation Area.
A supporting statement added that the current nursery building has “exceeded its lifespan” and no longer meets the minimum space or environmental requirements mandated by the Care Inspectorate.
Keeping the character of Milngavie
Whereas, the EYC would offer a “modern, high-quality, and sustainable” space, designed to “complement the existing historic character” of nearby Milngavie Primary School.
“As part of the wider redevelopment of the site, it was therefore proposed to refurbish Milngavie Primary School and replace Milngavie Nursery with an EYC.
“Consent to refurbish Milngavie Primary School was secured in March 2024, with construction ongoing and programmed to be complete by the beginning of the 2026 academic year.
“The demolition and replacement of Milngavie Nursery is to occur following approval of this planning application.
Optimising Milngavie for the community
“The refurbishment of the Primary School and replacement of the Nursery with the proposed EYC will provide purpose-built facilities for the town, improving the learning environment and experience for the young people of Milngavie.”
The new site is said to have been selected to optimise a range of factors on what is a “very constrained site”.
This includes maximising the available outdoor play space, a purpose-built structure for the nursery facilities which has been designed to support both functional layout requirements and long-term sustainability goals, a new, clearly identifiable main entrance, and more.
The existing woodland garden will be retained for continued use by the new facility as well as the MUGA pitch, which is also used by Milngavie Primary School.
Pedestrian access will be via the footway on Cairns Drive, and the car park will not be subject to development.
Images published by EDC show what the proposed development would look like if conservation area consent and planning permission are granted. A decision is expected to be made on the plans by February 15, 2026.
Source: Glasgow Times
Image: East Dunbartonshire Council