THREE schools in the North East of Glasgow could be merged on a new £18million campus.

The bid is part of a move council bosses believe will help transform the area.

Glasgow City Council's executive committee voted to send proposols for a new St Stephen's Primary School, St Kevin's Primary and Sighthill Nursery school.

The three will come together on one campus in Sighthill with a community facility housing a dance studio and fitness suite.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The plans for Sighthill are tremendously exciting and bring forward the transformation of the area by 20 years.

"Our plans could see in excess of 5000 people housed in the area surrounding the proposed new campus so the need for new, bigger, brighter, state-of-the-art schools is a must."

During Glasgow's bid to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 it was agreed that Sighthill would be the site of the Athletes Village.

Blueprints were drawn up to include the new campus for the primary, special needs school and nursery.

Despite the bid failing, council bosses pledged to continue with regeneration.

High rise flats in the community have been demolished to make way for flats, housing and student accommodation.

The new infrastructure will also include a public park, pedestrian bridge over the M8 and a new road bridge connection to Cowlairs.

And new housing - to include nearly 800 homes - will mean places must be made available for prospective school pupils. St Stephen's, which has a current roll of 145, was built in 1964 and has been categorised as a B standard school. St Kevin's additional support needs school, built in 1976, has 55 pupils and is category C.

Sighthill Nursery is also categorised at C level. Under new plans it could be open 52 weeks a year, if there is local demand.

Mr Matheson added: "The plans also include a community facility with a dance studio and fitness suite and weekend access to the new campuses muti-purpose games hall and all weather pitch - a fantastic additional leisure facility for the people of Sighthill.

"I would urge everyone with an interest in the consultation to give us your views on this exciting venture."

The primary schools will remain separate but share an office and reception and shared library and media suite, sports facilities and dining facilities as well as general rooms.

The community facility would be managed by Glasgow Life and include a dance studio, fitness suite, and separate changing and reception facilities. There would also be evening and weekend access to the multi-purpose games hall, school assembly hall and all-weather pitch.

If the proposal is agreed, the new campus would be completed by August 2017.

The public consultation will begin on March 3 with a public meeting at 7pm in St Stephen's Primary School on March 17.

Consultation will close on May 9.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk