A community campus could be built on the site of an ageing north-east academy.
Earlier this week, the Press and Journal revealed the long-awaited replacement Peterhead Academy could be built around the existing school.
But now it has emerged the team behind the project is considering also putting a primary school and community facilities on the site to create a flagship community campus.
The development would have space for more than 1,600 children and would mirror similar projects in Ellon, Alford and Laurencekirk.
Aberdeenshire Council’s schools strategy for the next three years names the new Peterhead Campus as a “key priority” between 2016-19.
In a report that will go before councillors tomorrow, education chief Maria Walker states: “The plan provides a strategic focus for the council based on local and national priorities.
“In addition, the service plan also indicates how the service will contribute to the delivery of key projects, such plans for a new Peterhead Academy community campus.”
Contained within her proposal is the first detailed description of how the new campus could take shape.
The scheme is described as a “purpose built learning environment using new technology” which will bring together youngsters between the ages of three-18.
The campus would accommodate up to 1,300 secondary school students and later 350 primary school pupils as well as a new swimming pool.
Plans are also underway to incorporate additional support needs teaching – currently provided at the town’s Anna Ritchie School – into a combined main site.
Although no final decision has been made on the location of the new campus, it is understood the existing site between Queen Street and Prince Street is a preferred option.
Other sites under consideration would take the school outside of the town’s A90 Fraserburgh to Aberdeen ringroad, limiting the proposed “regeneration” impact on the heart of the port.
Following public consultation, a preferred option will be chosen by March next year when architects will begin to design the academy.
No official opening date has been set, however a similar £50million campus scheme in Inverurie agreed last year is due to open in 2019.
