What is the current status of Lenzie Academy?

The current Lenzie Academy has been graded as possessing a "substantial risk to life" due to fire safety issues, with parents blaming "years of neglect and underinvestment" in the aging school building.

Why are locals protesting the plan to build the new Lenzie Academy on Whitegates Park?

Locals are protesting the plan to build the new Lenzie Academy on Whitegates Park because the land was previously found to have contaminated soil, and they are concerned about the loss of valuable greenspace in their community.

What concerns have been raised about the site selection process for the new Lenzie Academy?

Locals have accused the East Dunbartonshire Council of a "cloak and dagger process" in selecting the Whitegates site, as the meeting where the decision was made was not minuted. Campaigners believe there was a "deliberate steer" towards picking Whitegates over other options, despite the site previously being deemed unsuitable for a school.

Home / Education / Contaminated Land Eyed for New Lenzie Academy as Locals Protest Loss of Greenspace

Contaminated Land Eyed for New Lenzie Academy as Locals Protest Loss of Greenspace

15 Nov

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Summary

East Dunbartonshire Council plans to build new Lenzie Academy on contaminated Whitegates Park
Current Lenzie Academy has "substantial risk to life" due to fire safety issues
Locals protest loss of greenspace, claim "cloak and dagger process" in site selection

Contaminated Land Eyed for New Lenzie Academy as Locals Protest Loss of Greenspace

In November 2025, East Dunbartonshire Council is proposing to build a new Lenzie Academy on Whitegates Park, a site that was previously found to have contaminated soil. This plan has sparked angry protests from local residents who are concerned about the loss of valuable greenspace in their community.

The current Lenzie Academy, which has a roll of over 1,300 pupils, recently received a fire safety report that graded it as possessing a "substantial risk to life" due to issues with fire exits and doors. Parents have attributed this to "years of neglect and underinvestment" in the aging school building. Plans to replace the current school with a new facility have been ongoing since 2021.