Fed-up councillors are demanding urgent progress on the creation of a new Fraserburgh super-primary after years of consultations, studies and delays.
Proposals for the school have been on the cards for some time, with parents, teachers and the public being asked for their thoughts no fewer than 18 times.
Consultations have been taking place since early 2014, when a rezoning project was announced and then abandoned as the need for more drastic measures was identified.
Details of a £10 million scheme were finally unveiled in 2017 for a facility that could cope with the ever-expanding town population.
Two years later, there is still no end in sight and councillors Andy Kille and Doreen Mair have decided they will use their power as members of the administration to demand the facility be added to the Aberdeenshire Council action plan.
Proposals for the new super-school envisage the provision of education for up to 450 children, amalgamating Fraserburgh North and St Andrews primary schools.
The Victorian-era school buildings are now well past their sell-by dates and have been identified for replacement by education chiefs.
But Mr Kille, who is also chairman of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, said he and his colleague were tired of the constant surveys and consultations that have taken the place of what they consider genuine progress.
He said: “We’re fed up.
“We’ve had a multitude of consultations over many years and it’s absolutely time this was brought to a conclusion.
“Doreen Mair and I are members of the administration and we’re planning on using our influence to demand that this situation is resolved.
“It appears that we’re now onto our 18th consultation on this project and we’re pushing for something to actually happen.
“A new school should be put onto the capital plan.”
Council officials have in the past confirmed the schools no longer provide a good environment for up-to-date teaching due to the lack of space, lack of playing fields and lack of accessibility they offer.
And the condition of the schools has become a concern the two councillors are not prepared to ignore.
Councillor Mair said: “St Andrews school and the North School are Victorian buildings that are no longer suitable for purpose.
“The children and families of Fraserburgh deserve a new and modern facility in which they can enjoy a well-rounded education.
“We’re calling for a new school to be built.
“It’s been said over-and-over that it’s “well-loved” and “my mum went there, my gran went there, my great-granny went to school there” but that’s not what you need from a school.
“We’re going to use our influence to make sure this goes ahead.”
The goal for the multi-million-pound school is that it be centrally located but no final location has been chosen.
That issue has been the focus of a number of the consultations to date.
Future uses for the existing St Andrews School have also been considered – including converting the infant building into a nursery – but no firm plans have materialised.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “Services have identified a significant number of priorities for our capital plan and these are being evaluated, giving consideration to the available funding.
“One of the projects being considered is a new primary school in Fraserburgh and elected members will be updated with a report for the Banff and Buchan Area Committee in due course.”
