Planning permission for new Forres Academy at controversial site given green light

Moray Council has granted planning permission for the new Forres Academy to be build at a controversial site.

Members of the Planning and Regulatory Committee gave the green light for the building on January 14, which will cover Applegrove Primary School’s playing fields, part of Roysvale and the former Forres Academy site.

This is despite more than 110 objections to council – and fewer than 25 in support – after planning permission was officially submitted in September.

The site will see a three-storey secondary school, including an additional support needs teaching facility and community provisions, built to replace the former Forres Academy – which is located on the nearby Burdsyard Road.

Forres Councillor Draeyk van der Horn (Green) added three conditions to the original proposal.

Cllr van der Horn raised concerns about the material and the filtration system for the 3G astroturf pitch, and wanted more tree planting at the site.

The committee agreed to add in the three conditions, which will ensure that the most environmentally-friendly material available at the time of construction is used for the 3G pitch; an updated filtration system at the pitch and tree planting along the bus drop off lane to ensure more privacy for residents.

Cllr van der Horn welcomed the new school, saying it would “make a difference to young people in the district”.

Councillor David Gordon (Speyside Glenlivet, Conservative) raised the high number of objections during the meeting.

Council planning officer Neal MacPherson assured the committee that measures had been taken to create some privacy for the veteran’s cottages that are located at the north of the development.

He said that just over 40 metres had been left between the boundary of the site and the homes, which he added was “quite acceptable” for an urban development.

The use of Roysvale for the development will need to undergo separate consideration due to it being Common Good Land.

The council requires court permission to use this land, which they still do not have.