The potential cost of the new Doon Valley Community Campus has risen by £7.6 million, and almost double the budget that was originally set aside for the plans in 2016.

At a recent cabinet meeting, an agreement was reached on a number of key issues relating to the new build Doon Valley Community Campus and the refurbishment of St Sophia’s Primary School, meaning the prise cap was increased.

The spending for St Sophia’s Primary School could also increase by £800,000.

The council’s Cabinet cited that the Doon Campus is now expected to cost up to £41.1m, while the refurbishment at St Sophia’s could be £4.4m.

READ MORE: Doon Valley Community Campus plans begin to emerge

Cabinet initially agreed budget of £33.5m in March 2021, which had been established by calculating the overall space required by all partners based on detailed data available.

This had already increased from £18.5m in 2016, £30m in 2020, and then the £33.5m in 2021.

The original size of the plans was believed to be 8,490m2, but that has increased to 10,196m2, thus increasing the cost along the way.

Discussions are ongoing with the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), NHS Ayrshire and Arran and Police Scotland, for agreement to be reached that could offset some or all of the identified funding pressures.

Agreement has now been reached with some of the partners however; the project investment remained £5m below the anticipated cost estimate.

The project can now advance to the next stage and detailed plans can be developed for the Community Campus on the site of the current Doon Academy, Dalmellington Primary School and Early Childhood Centre, the Doon Valley Leisure Centre and the site of the existing Dalmellington Area Centre.

Further design development and community engagement will now restart with further detailed investigations being undertaken.