Councillors overseeing plans for a new £77million academy in Peterhead have claimed they need more public feedback before deciding where it is built.
Aberdeenshire Council has drawn up plans to construct three new schools in the town, in addition to a range of community and sports facilities.
However, a row has broken out over which of two sites will be chosen for the new super school.
The campus can either be built around the existing buildings on Queen Street, or on land near Kinmundy Road on the outskirts of the town.
Fears have been raised the out-of-town option will make it more difficult for youngsters from the deprived town centre to get to class.
And now, despite recommendations from the education department that local residents favour the Kindmundy options, members of Aberdeenshire’s communities committee have called for more engagement from residents.
A poll of parents from an information evening last year showed that 67 out of 91 attendees support the out-of-town site. A further 138 letters of support were sent in, and 24 letters backed the Queen Street campus.
The population of Peterhead exceeds 17,000.
Councillors met at Woodhill House yesterday to comment on the proposals and Central Buchan councillor, Eddie Chapman, said: “It was very disappointing how many came forward for the engagement.
“A lot more work needs to be done. Whichever site is chosen, big changes will be needed in the community. What we need is an assurance there will be more community engagement.”
Her comments were echoed by opposition spokeswoman Anne Robertson. She added: “Consultation responses have been poor, so more engagement is needed.”
However, education officer, Maxine Booth, said local residents, staff and parents would still be able to contribute.
She added: “We will have to go back to the community and, when we start the business case, we will look at more information.
“People will be able to make a more informed choice. This was about getting a feel from the people where they would want the school to be.”
No final decision has been made at this stage – members of the communities committee agreed to instruct the education department to carry out further analysis of the Kinmundy sate.
