CONFUSION reigned this week as to where the new Additional Support Needs School will be built.

Initial reports seemed to suggest that it would be built in between Auchenharvie Leisure Centre and Auchenharvie Academy but it could be built on the football

pitches on the other side of the school.

It was thought that the new school would replace the previously mooted £6million adult learning disabled development which has since been moved to Red Cross House in Irvine.

One irate resident has hit out at the apparent plan and has said it will be housed there, despite the council saying it is still to be decided.

The local, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I was told it was going on the playing fields as ‘there was no other place for it to go’. It hasn’t taken into consideration those of us who live locally. This is a green belt and will result in the loss of football pitches.”

A Statuary Public Consultation is currently on the go and will conclude on November 4.

On North Ayrshire Council’s website, it states: “The council are proposing to build the new facility adjacent to Auchenharvie Academy.

“If approved, its development will see the closure and amalgamation of Haysholm School, James McFarlane School, James Reid School and Stanecastle School.

“A new Early Years provision is being proposed at Annick

Primary School to replace the current provision at Stanecastle School.

“North Ayrshire Council has undertaken a strategic review of education – with the objectives to raise educational attainment and achievement, review educational assets and provide an estate which is fit for the 21st century.

“A key finding from the review of the school estate was the clear need to improve educational facilities for the area’s most vulnerable children and young people.

“As a result, the funding for a new ASN school was approved.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “We are currently undertaking the statutory consultation process for the new ASN campus.

“The exact location of the campus has not yet been agreed. Site investigation work will be carried out in the near future to determine the optimum position on the Auchenharvie site for future development.”