Councillors in Forres have approved planning permission for a new secondary school, despite facing over 100 objections from local residents. The decision, which came during a meeting of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, allows for the construction of the new Forres Academy on the current playing field of Applegrove Primary School. Local councillors, including Kathleen Robertson, Scott Lawrence, and Draeyk van der Horn, expressed their support for the project, citing its potential benefits to the community.
Councillor Robertson, the leader of Moray Council, described the approval as “another important step” for the education sector in the area. The new three-storey school aims to replace the existing facility on Burdsyard Road and is contingent upon the Court of Session’s agreement to use Common Good land for its construction. “Objections as well as submissions of support were considered by the planning committee,” Robertson stated. “Education for the future of our children will benefit from a modern, well-equipped school.”
Support for the project is widespread, with endorsements from both the Forres Community Council and the Forres Area Forum. “The overwhelming sentiment is the need for a new secondary school as soon as possible,” said Councillor Lawrence, who noted that discussions regarding the feasibility and location had been ongoing for more than three years. The project is expected to be funded by a portion of £50 million allocated from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Improvement Programme.
Although the planning committee approved the project, concerns regarding the school’s design and its impact on local residents were raised. Councillor van der Horn emphasized the need for privacy for nearby veterans’ cottages, suggesting that measures would be implemented to address these issues. “Overlook will be mitigated by measures in the internal building furnishings and the distance between the school and the back of the cottages,” he explained.
Environmental considerations also played a role in the planning discussions. Van der Horn insisted on the use of environmentally safe materials for any proposed all-weather sports pitch, highlighting potential health risks associated with traditional materials. “I added conditions requiring that any plastic pitch must use environmentally safe materials, and that any runoff is properly collected and filtered, to prevent microplastics and pollution entering our drinking water and the Mosset,” he said.
The Forres Community Council had previously engaged with the Court of Session regarding the use of Common Good land for the project. The council received documentation indicating that a section of Roysvale playing field would be required for construction purposes, including school bus drop-off and pick-up areas. While opinions within the council differ, a majority expressed support for the school’s proposed location, provided that all mitigating factors are fully funded.
“I feel really pleased that planning permission has been granted,” said Steve Ferris, chairman of the Forres Area Forum. He emphasized the importance of scrutiny but underscored that providing young people with the best educational opportunities should be the priority. “If the contractors are unable to work to the requirements of the plan and want to change anything, it has to go back for further planning consent.”
Despite the backing from local authorities and community groups, opposition remains strong from certain factions, particularly the social media group Forres New Academy Forum. The group has voiced its discontent and has instructed solicitors Shepherd and Wedderburn to issue Moray Council with a legal letter demanding that the new school be located in a more suitable area. Their concerns include issues related to design, layout, and community impacts, such as increased traffic and potential flooding.
Resident Sie Crawford, who lives near the proposed site, expressed his frustration over the approval. “I feel sick to my core,” he said. “The people of Forres are against it—there were more than 100 objections registered on the planning site. Councillors say they are listening, but they are not.” He described public meetings as staged, limiting opportunities for residents to ask questions.
As the project moves forward, local leaders and community members will continue to monitor its implementation and address any concerns that arise. The establishment of the new Forres Academy is seen as a significant step forward in enhancing educational facilities in the region, with hopes that it will serve the community for decades to come.
