A proposed Netherton Avenue site for a new Trinity High School will remain under consideration after councillors stopped it from being ruled out.
The decision was taken at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on Thursday 20th August 2026.
Council officers had recommended that the site, which forms part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland beside Glasgow Airport, should not progress to the full business case stage.
Their report raised concerns about aircraft noise, difficult ground conditions, transport links, flood risks and existing legal and commercial agreements covering AMIDS.
It said the proposed school would be around 200 to 300 metres from an active airport runway.
Officers also warned that placing a school within AMIDS could affect the district’s future development and create additional financial liabilities for the council.
An amendment moved by Councillor Jim Paterson and supported by Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes was approved by the board.
It keeps Netherton Avenue under consideration while officers seek the views of SEPA and Transport Scotland.
Officers were also instructed to investigate whether there are any other suitable and potentially deliverable sites within Renfrew.
Councillor Paterson told the meeting: “We need to be satisfied that we have properly explored every reasonable option before closing any doors. I cannot say that I am at that stage at this point.”
Work and public engagement will continue on the three sites already shortlisted for the new school.
These are East Craigend and Barwood in Erskine, along with King George V Playing Fields in Renfrew.
The written report estimated that difficult ground conditions, noise protection and pedestrian infrastructure at Netherton could add around £18 million before other planning-related work was considered.
During the meeting, officers said the additional construction cost alone was currently estimated at around £15 million.
They said a conventional new secondary school of the required size would currently have a baseline cost of approximately £135 million.
No final location has been chosen for the new Trinity High School.