Councillors have cleared the way for a new £26million secondary school to be built in Moray.
The local authority’s planning and regulatory services committee yesterday backed proposals for the 800-pupil replacement for Elgin High.
The existing building, which opened in 1978, will be demolished once the new school is completed in late 2017.
The new campus will include a separate sports block, a floodlit synthetic all-weather pitch and an athletics track.
Elgin City South councillor John Divers, who moved to approve the development in his ward, said: “Since 2001, we have been putting forward the need for a new Elgin High School.
“Following the committee’s decision, I’m delighted all the hard work that has been carried out by the head teacher, his staff and the parent council over the last few years has come to fruition.
“It’s been a long, hard journey, so hopefully we can ensure the school is open on time in August 2017.”
Fellow Elgin City South councillor Graham Leadbitter said: “The planning consent for Elgin’s High School is another critical step on the way to seeing the new school built.
“We have now passed all the major planning hurdles and it is now a matter of weeks until we see a spade in the ground.”
During yesterday’s meeting, councillor heard the school would also act as a community centre.