Dumfries plan to convert old newspaper offices into school faces flood risk concerns

Councillors are concerned about placing vulnerable children in a flood-prone area

The planning committee's approval means the final decision will be made by the Scottish Government.

Author: Marc McLeanPublished 1st Sep 2026

Plans to convert former newspaper offices in Dumfries into an educational facility have sparked concerns for the safety of vulnerable children.

The Dumfries and Galloway Standard’s former newspaper office is set to be transformed into a school for kids who are neurodivergent or have experienced trauma.

Councillors last week backed proposals for the empty building at Park Lane in Dumfries – which used to be occupied by the Dumfries and Galloway Standard – to change use from office to educational space.

However, the move triggered some controversy as there are flood risk concerns.

At last week’s council planning committee, Lochar Councillor Ivor Hyslop said he was firmly against placing children with additional needs in a flood-risk area.

He said: “Are we actually putting some of our most delicate children in here in an area where there is a danger to them if there was a flash flood?”

Applicant Greenleaf House, a company that delivers children’s residential care, has developed plans to change the building from office use to an educational facility.

The school would cater for children aged between 10 and 18 who are neurodivergent or have experienced trauma, with a staff-to-pupil ratio of one adult to every three children.

The company’s website states: “Our mission is to support young people to recover from trauma, live fulfilled lifestyles and engage in lifelong learning to transition on to positive destinations.”

Council planning papers state: “The site of the proposed development comprises an office building on the eastern side of the River Nith at Park Lane, Dumfries.

“The building, which was last occupied as offices associated with the Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, has a roof clad in corrugated metal sheeting and rendered external walls.

“The site is located within Dumfries Conservation Area, an area identified as being at high risk of both river and surface water flooding (as per SEPA flood risk mapping), and there is an area of archaeological interest that generally follows the route of Park Lane.”

The report also explains that the site lies in close proximity to the River Nith within the Greensands area, which is an area “prone to severe and frequent flooding” from the River Nith.

Council planning chief David Hearton told the committee the site would be underwater in the event of a one-in-200-year flood, factoring in a 20 per cent allowance for climate change.

He confirmed the existing flood defence scheme only protects against a one-in-75-year event.

Councillor Hyslop argued that the objections from SEPA and the council’s flood team should be treated as decisive, and called for the application to be refused. His motion failed to gain support.

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning committee approve the proposals, however the Scottish Government will make the final decision because SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) has raised objections over flooding concerns.

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