Green light for new Fraserburgh primary school
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Councillors have approved plans to build a new £18 million state-of-the-art primary school in Fraserburgh.
The proposal came as plans to merge the town’s St Andrews and Fraserburgh North schools were given the go-ahead at a meeting of full council back in September.
Council bosses claimed the move was needed as the two existing schools were in need of “significant” upgrades.
Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee discussed the planning application for the new school on Dennyduff Road this week.
Chairwoman councillor Doreen Mair welcomed the development and stated the facility has been “sorely needed for a long time”.
Planners praised the proposal too, claiming it would bring a “new and exciting learning space for the children of Fraserburgh”.
The new development will be the first eco-friendly school of its kind in Aberdeenshire.
It will have a new sports hall, pupil dining room and 14 classrooms.
Music and drama spaces will also be included to allow pupils to express their creativity.
Meanwhile sensory rooms and nurture spaces will be provided for youngsters with additional support needs.
The new school will also have facilities such as meeting rooms that can be used by the wider community.
A multi use games area will be created within the school grounds, allowing youngsters to enjoy sports including hockey, basketball and football.
Council chiefs recently rubber stamped plans for a similar facility at neighbouring Fraserburgh Academy.
Aberdeenshire Council had applied for funding through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) to help with the project.
However, the local authority was told it was unsuccessful.
Ms Mair expressed her disappointment at the outcome as she believed it would have provided a “real boost” to the development.
She said: “We will have to set our capital plan next year and it will be for us as a whole council to agree our capital priorities for the coming years.
“I hope that, given the work undertaken to date, we can see this project progress in due course.”
But councillor Seamus Logan said he was “delighted” to see the project reach this stage and suggested the plans be granted.
The committee agreed with him and the application was unanimously approved.
It is anticipated that the new school, which will have capacity for 450 pupils, will be completed by February 2026.
