Edinburgh's oldest working school has been saved from a future of demolition or lying derelict, as the building is set to become a new community hub.
Victoria Primary School in Newhaven showed out it's last lot of pupils this summer, as the classes are due to expand into a new building from next month.
Until this week, the future of the Victorian site, built in 1844, had been uncertain, with the community left desperate to see it renovated and reused.
Now, a new project for the school has been given the green light after the Scottish Land Fund awarded a staggering £792,000 to local charity, The Heart of Newhaven Community, (HoNC).
The charity had previously won the right to purchase the building from the City of Edinburgh Council under the Community Asset Transfer scheme, on the back of its “robust business plan”, but plans were delayed as Covid hit the construction works at the new school.
Now, the purchase will be able to go ahead with the new grant, with plans for artist workshops, childcare facilities and even a heritage suite.
According to the charity, as many of the building's original features will be kept as is possible, including dado panelling, cast iron banisters and stone stairs.
Speaking about the news,HoNC Chairman, Rodney Matthews said: “This news is even better than we hoped at the time of our original application long before the set- backs we have experienced over the past 18 months.
“This will enable us to sign a contract with the City of Edinburgh Council to give us vacant possession of the site as soon as the children have moved into their new school in Western Harbour. While that date is still unknown we are now able to move confidently forward with plans for what can now safely be called The Heart.
“Watch this space will now really apply to a much loved icon of Newhaven,” he added.
