Planning approved for new Inverness Royal Academy

The new £34million school including two new artificial pitches will be built on the site of the existing Inverness Royal Academy, west of Culduthel Road, Inverness.

The school will have 39 practical, 40 non-practical, 5 tutorial classrooms, and 6 classrooms to accommodate the range of subjects taught in Gaelic. Community use of the facility will be available in two games halls, a fitness suite, dance studio, gymnasium and two synthetic turf pitches. 

Construction work is expected to start in July 2014 with pupils moving into their new school in May 2016.

The new school’s main central teaching, social and administration block will be bounded by sports facilities, and the expanded Additional Support Needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder department.  The development will also include an energy centre/bin storage building, new outdoor learning facilities, a wetlands habitat, trim track, sensory and growing gardens, and improvements to the public areas.

The application was presented by Hub North Scotland Ltd who is delivering the school project for The Highland Council. This follows a pre-application public consultation on the proposed development which included public exhibitions and consultation period from September to November 2013

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee and member of Inverness Ness-side Ward said: “This is a key step in delivering modern educational establishments for Inverness and a major milestone in our work with the Scottish Government to develop our programme of modern school provision in the Highlands. The new school build at Inverness Royal Academy is a huge £34million investment boost to the local community and economy. This is fantastic news for Inverness.”

Members of the South Planning Applications Committee and Inverness Ness-side Ward Councillors Jean Slater and Fraser Parr both welcomed the decision to approve the planning application for the new Inverness Royal Academy. Councillor Slater said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for the school and local area with the new community facilities.

Councillor Parr added: “I am looking forward to works starting on the new school as soon as possible. The proposals have been well debated among members and discussed with focus groups and public meetings. This will see a real improvement in the service that we are providing in the area.

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8 Apr 2014