Councillors will today be asked to step back from future plans to build an academy in Kintore.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch area committee will be told the secondary school is no a longer a “high priority” for the local authority.
It comes as the authority pushes on with proposals for Inverurie Community Campus, which includes a 1,600 pupil academy.
Last year, councillors were given the option of progressing with Inverurie or a 1,200-capacity replacement primary in Kintore, alongside a smaller academy.
They agreed to progress with the first option, but also agreed for negotiations for the land at Midmill to progress.
Now however, they are being asked to withdraw from the option agreement.
The cost of purchasing the land could be in excess of £100,000 and might be “non-returnable”.
The council’s director of business services, Ritchie Johnson, said the local authority should only commit if “there is a need to keep open the option” of a future Kintore Academy site.
He added: “The head of resources and performance within education has been asked to comment on the need for an option and has commented that provision of an academy in Kintore is not seen as a high priority, as it is unlikely it will be required in the next 10 to 15 years.
“This, together with the current development of the new Garioch academy, has informed the recommendation in the report – i.e. to cease negotiations.
“The planning service acknowledges that there is no material reason why a short term option on the land should be pursued and that this would be financially inefficient.”
Chairman of the Garioch area committee, Fergus Hood, said: “I have asked for updated school roll forecasts, not only for Kintore but also for Kemnay and Inverurie. We need to take into account any likely growth.”
