School house plan for Lenzie

Lenzie Development Trust is looking to re-purpose Campsie View School, on Boghead Road, which is due to close in the summer.

The Trust is hoping to use Scottish legislation - designed to ‘empower’ communities - to carry out a so-called community asset transfer.

The Trust’s preferred housing model is called ‘cohousing’ - where residents design and manage their own housing, in a self-supporting way.

The May 4 meeting is designed to add numbers to a supporters’ list, to take to the school’s owners, East Dunbartonshire Council.

It will be addressed by a representative of the organisation, Cohousing Scotland, with the additional aim of recruiting people with specific skills - such as financial and legal - to help turn dreams into a reality.

The meeting is taking place at Lenzie Union Parish Church Hall, 65 Kirkintilloch Road, starting at 7.30pm.

Commenting on the project, Margaret Whitelaw, director and secretary of Lenzie Development Trust: “Everyone knows there is an acute shortage of housing designed specifically for older people in Lenzie.

“Over the years, plans have come and gone, leaving a real shortage, especially of housing that has a co-operative feel to it.

“We are keen to recruit as many supporters as possible, to convince East Dunbartonshire Council that there is a real strength of feeling.

“Campsie View School becoming available is just the sort of opportunity that we have been looking for, for a very long time. But we need to move fast.

“Anyone who can’t make the meeting, but wants to support us - either by adding their name to our supporters’ list or by offering their skills and expertise - can get in touch, by email at: [email protected] or via Twitter:@LenzieCoHousing.

Lenzie Development Trust was founded in October 2017.

It aims to benefit the community of Lenzie, in particular to advance the provision of housing, environment and services.