A long-awaited school for a developing new town on the outskirts of Aberdeen will be built in three years’ time, it emerged yesterday.
Children living in the emerging Countesswells area have no local school and currently attend the formerly mothballed Hazlewood primary.
The developers have been eagerly awaiting confirmation from the council on the funding and timing of the new facility since residents started moving in last year and have welcomed the council’s update.
But a local councillor has branded the timescales as “a real cause for concern”.
As part of the masterplan, two primary schools and a new academy are envisaged within the approved plans for Countesswells.
The first school will have a capacity of 400.
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The area will eventually comprise of 3,000 homes, along with healthcare facilities, local business units and shops, community centres and green space.
The council has costed four new primary schools in Milltimber, Tillydrone, Torry and Countesswells at £100million.
The new community is being brought forward by Countesswells Development Limited (CDL), a subsidiary of the Stewart Milne Group.
Project director of CDL, Allan McGregor, said: “ We are committed to providing the vital local amenities as the community grows and with the upfront investment in infrastructure and landscaping, including the pathways, first playpark, community orchard and installation of fibre optic cabling delivering the fastest broadband speeds in the country, we have demonstrated that, where we have full control, we are delivering on our promise.
“This much anticipated confirmation from the council helps us deliver on our overall ambition of making Countesswells a truly exceptional place in which to live, work and play.”
Last night council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: “This is another important part of our important school building programme.”
But Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Greig said the timescales were “disappointing”.
He added: “The council’s delay in building the new schools is a real cause for concern.
“The administration has taken an excessively relaxed approach to the needs of the young people.
“Now the pupils have to travel three and a half miles to Hazlewood School for the next three years.
“This is a disruptive and wasteful way of providing an educational service.”
