County L'Derry-headquartered Heron Bros Ltd has commenced work on the £24 million Neilston Learning Campus for East Renfrewshire Council in Scotland.

A sod-cutting ceremony marked the official beginning of construction for this state-of-the-art facility, designed to serve the Neilston community and the wider East Renfrewshire area.

The milestone project will co-locate Neilston Primary School, Madras Family Centre, and St Thomas' Primary School onto a single, shared site. The new facility is being built on ground within the existing Neilston Primary site, a strategic decision that allows the current school to remain operational throughout the construction period. Upon completion of the new school and nursery, the current Neilston Primary and Madras Family Centre buildings will be demolished to make way for the creation of an all-weather football pitch and a multi-use games area.

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Having previously completed the Early Learning Expansion 2020 framework, which involved delivering five new nursery facilities across East Renfrewshire, as well as the Joint Faith Schools Campus also within the region, Heron Bros is now undertaking initial enabling works and anticipates beginning the main construction over the summer.

Cathal Heron, Regional Director of Heron Bros, expressed the company's commitment: "We are delighted to be continuing our longstanding relationship with East Renfrewshire Council to deliver the Neilston Learning Campus project. The new education and community facility will create a state-of-the-art hub for the Neilston Community to enjoy. We look forward to working with the Council, Design team and engaging with the schools and local community as the works progress."

East Renfrewshire Council Leader Owen O'Donnell commented on the project's significance: "This sod cutting event officially marks the start of a new educational chapter in Neilston. The village has always enjoyed fantastic learning opportunities from the wonderful staff at Neilston Primary, St Thomas' Primary and Madras Family Centre, but once this amazing shared campus is complete it will take things to the next level. From the Digi-Zone to the dedicated space for science, technology, engineering and maths and the fabulous outdoor spaces which will be created – this really will be a learning campus which will fire the imaginations of the children and young people who come here."