THE first shared campus between Catholic and Jewish schools in Europe has been given the go-ahead.

The new £14 million development in East Renfrewshire has been approved by the council's planning reporter.

East Renfrewshire Council will now press ahead with the design of the new school, which will be built close to Mearns Castle High, in Newton Mearns.

The proposals for the joint campus were first drawn up because of the need to build a new Catholic primary in the area to satisfy increasing demand.

In addition, while the council already runs the Calderwood Lodge Primary Jewish school, it is inside the Glasgow council boundary and there have been calls to move it closer to the community it serves.

A number of joint campus schools between Catholic and non-denominational schools have been built in Scotland, but this would be the first between two faith schools. It is thought to be the first such school in Europe.

Some joint campus schools have proved controversial in the past, but East Renfrewshire officials say discussions between representatives of the two faiths involved have been very positive.

Consultation is currently taking place on the design of the new facilities at the campus which will have separate pupil entrances and classroom wings as well as headteachers for the two schools and nursery classes.

However, the playground will be shared and it is proposed that other areas will also be used by both schools including sports and music facilities. Kosher catering and dining facilities will be provided for Calderwood Lodge.

It is intended that the Calderwood Lodge school building will close at the end of the 2016/17 school year, with the faith schools' joint campus opening for the start of the 2017/18 school session.