- Scots College unveiled its new fortress-like building.
- A charge was applied for parents as an entrance fee.
- EXPLORE FURTHER: Significant developments following the incident where students from an exclusive private institution vandalized an Airbnb property
A school that charges over $51,000 for Year 12 students has imposed an additional fee on parents so their kids can attend the unveiling ceremony of its new 'castle.'
Even though most families at the highly selective all-boys Scots College probably aren’t struggling financially, many were upset when they noticed a $50 charge had been added to their bills from the East. Sydney school.
The charge was for the Scots' newly built $60 million 'Scottish Baronial-style' castle, a project that has taken over seven years to complete.
The contentious renovation plans for the previous 'flat-roofed, neo-Brutalist, monolithic' John Cunningham Centre received approval from the Independent Planning Commission back in 2019.
Nonetheless, multiple significant delays in construction along with a budget overrun of nearly 50 percent have heightened parental frustrations towards this extravagant endeavor.
"Parents are furious about being charged for attendance at the opening due to delays and the project going far beyond the initial budget," an anonymous parent reported. Sydney Morning Herald .
The area near the castle started experiencing tension after proposals were submitted in 2017, leading to numerous concerns raised by nearby inhabitants to the Woollahra Council.
The main concerns for the neighbors were increased pressure on local parking spaces, deteriorated traffic conditions, and obstruction of their harbor views.
The Concerned Scots Neighbours group raised multiple objections regarding the construction of the castle. Additionally, Bellevue Hill resident Ian Joye initiated legal proceedings against the school at the Land and Environment Court due to its intentions to expand the number of students.
Despite this, the Bellevue Hill school received approval to tear down its outdated student center in 2019. In 2023, Prince Edward, who is King Charles III’s younger brother, participated in laying the ‘cornerstone’ for the new building.
The planning department suggested approving the castle because it would enhance educational resources for the nearby community.
Initial delays in construction were attributed to difficulties obtaining sandstone slates from Scotland, as architects explored Edinburgh’s structures designed by renowned architect David Bryce for inspiration during the planning phase.
The institution stated last year that the postponements were attributed to a mix of factors such asCOVID-related closures, along with difficulties related to supplies and labor.
The construction firm Taylor mentioned on their website that the castle features 'a variety of new educational areas, enhanced academic research facilities, and newly established formal event spaces.'
It includes a café for both staff and students, rooms designated for counseling and pastoral care services, as well as a library.
In 2023, Scots secured approximately $8 million in combined government funding and also gained approval for an underground parking lot with a tennis court built above it.
Privately owned educational institutions have progressively opted for state-mandated development processes to obtain construction approvals instead of submitting their proposals to municipal authorities.
Six of Sydney’s priciest educational institutions are undertaking over $600 million worth of construction projects that are presently in the development phase as per state planning records.
The King's School, MLC, and Newington College all have multimillion-dollar building refurbishment projects valued at over $100 million currently in progress.
These initiatives encompass performing arts centers, aquatics facilities, and sporting venues.
Several of the initiatives encompass performance art venues, swimming complexes, and athletic courts.
Even though parents and donors cover the costs of constructing private schools, government funds can be utilized for paying the associated interests.
Paul Blanket, representing Concerned Scots Neighbours, stated that local inhabitants have expressed worries regarding vehicular movement and parking within the vicinity.
'When you expand the number of students, it places significant strain on nearby roads. This isn’t exclusive to Scots; numerous private institutions undertaking substantial construction projects face similar issues,' he stated.
'Institutions must acknowledge the worries of the surrounding community and work to lessen their effect on neighboring inhabitants.'
The Daily Mail Australia has reached out to The Scots College for their input.
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