Aberdeenshire Council is pushing on with its plans for a much-needed second school in Kintore.
The local authority confirmed last night it had applied to the Scottish Government for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the site at Midmill, which has been earmarked for the primary school.
At the moment, there are 645 pupils learning in cramped conditions at the existing school – which was only built to hold 415 youngsters.
The 540-pupil primary was due to open next autumn, but earlier this year the council announced it would be delayed by a year due to difficulties securing the land.
In June, the authority agreed to apply to the government to progress with the CPO.
A spokesman for the authority said: “We have submitted an application to the Scottish Government and are working through it at the moment.
“We had a meeting with the Scottish Government last week.”
And yesterday, members of the education, learning and leisure committee agreed to launch a consultation on the re-zoning that will result from the new school.
Under the plans, primary pupils from all homes and new housing developments to the south of Kintore, as well as from the north-west of the town, will go to the new build.
However, those at the existing school will not be moved unless their parents request to do so, and siblings will continue going to the same school.
The consultation will go live on Monday and will run until December 12. A public meeting will also be held at Kintore School on November 12 from 7pm-9pm.
The rezoning proposals will be available to view on the council’s website or via visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/KintoreRezoning from next week.