The old St John’s Primary School building on Darnley Road has been earmarked for the bulldozers as planning permission was lodged to build 15 new flats on the site.

East Renfrewshire Council put the final rubber stamp on the plans this month.

The former school has been used as offices for a variety of council bodies after it shut almost 30 years ago.

It was replaced by the newer St John’s Primary School building on Commercial Road in the Dunterlie area of Barrhead.

A planning application was submitted in July for the demolition of the historic building and the erection of the flats within the next year.

The flats will be built alongside the recent Rankin Way development and would mirror the style of the buildings.

An independent archeology society has confirmed that the construction works will not have any impact on historical areas of note nearby, however it was also revealed that there is potentially a 13th century village buried under the site.

It is not believed that the works will disturb the entrance to the Levern Walkway at the site or the former St John’s Cemetery, situated next to it.

The graveyard contains the mass grave of dozens of mine workers killed in 1851.

An explosion at the Victoria Pit colliery in nearby Nitshill occurred, killing 63 men and boys who worked in the mine, many of whom lived in Barrhead.

The victims were buried in a mass grave in the yard at St John’s Church on Darnley Road, and although they were later exhumed to other cemeteries, some may still reside at St John’s in an unmarked grave.

The 15 flats would be part of one building with a mixture of one and two bedroom properties.

There are also plans to build a new children’s playpark for use by residents.

Do you have any memories of growing up and attending the former St John’s Primary School? We want to hear your views on its demolition and your memories. Call us on 0141 435 8885.