A PROPOSAL to build a shared school campus in Neilston has been condemned by the Catholic Church.

Last month the News told how East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) announced it is considering developing a joint site for pupils who attend the “tired” Neilston Primary and St Thomas’ Primary schools.

The local authority is looking to gauge the views of parents, teachers and village residents after setting aside £100,000 from its budget to part-fund a feasibility study into the idea.

Part of the proposals include shared library and leisure facilities.

Speaking after the announcement, Neilston councillor Paul O’Kane said: “We know that Neilston Primary is in a really poor condition – I think everybody would admit that.

“We know that St Thomas’ is also quite tired so we’re looking at the next time the Scottish Government opens up the purse strings to fund new schools.

“Essentially what would happen is the shared campus model, which exists elsewhere.”

However, the plans – which were first revealed by this newspaper – have come under fire from the Bishop of Paisley, Father John Keenan, who claims the church was kept in the dark.

Speaking on behalf of Fr Keenan, a spokesman said: “It is concerning that a proposal to change Catholic school provision in Neilston has come to the attention of the church through the pages of the Barrhead News rather than through the normal channels.

“Councillor Paul O’Kane’s comments have left parents and pupils alarmed at a possible threat to the continued existence of a much-loved school.”

The Catholic Church’s claims that it was not made aware of ERC’s feasibility study have since been dismissed by councillor O'Kane.

He said: “A range of stakeholders will be included in this study and of course the church will be a key part of that. I had a very amicable conversation with Mr (Peter) Kearney (Catholic Media Office director) in which we discussed this.

“The vast majority of parents I have spoken to have welcomed this feasibility process with openness and a willingness to share their views.

“As a former pupil of St Thomas’ Primary, and part of a family who have lived in Neilston for five generations, I am astonished to hear someone misrepresenting what I said and suggesting that a shared site means challenging either of the schools’ existence or ethos.

“An ethos is about more than just a building. Quite simply, our two village schools are here to stay but this is an opportunity to consider brand new, state-of-the-art buildings and facilities on a shared site.

“This, of course, is for all stakeholders to have their say on which is the whole point of the consultation.”

A spokesman for ERC said: “Both schools in Neilston are currently in a C-rated condition and would require significant investment to bring them in line with the rest of our school estate.

“The possibility of a shared campus for Neilston and St Thomas’ primaries was first shared with the council in June 2015.

“We are now in the early stages of bringing forward a feasibility study to explore with the community the appetite for a shared campus with all education and sports and leisure on one site.

“If approved by the Education Committee at the end of this month an informal consultation with all stakeholders, including the Catholic Church, will be carried out to seek views and response to such a proposal.

“The feedback received at this stage would inform whether to proceed to a formal consultation, when all residents would be able to make their views known.”