Aberdeenshire Council are to discuss proposals regarding a potential third primary school in Portlethen.

The proposals will go before the Policy and Resources Committee next week.

Portlethen's two existing primary schools, Portlethen Primary and Fishermoss Primary, both lie to the east of the A90 trunk road. An assessment study was carried out into future primary education in the greater Portlethen catchment area to look into the issue of an extensive housing development at Hillside, which lies to the west of the A90.

The recent School Estate Review predicts that the school roll at Fishermoss Primary will fall by 2018, while the school roll at Portlethen is expected to rise.

The assessment study identified five options, which included:

1. Retain Fishermoss and Portlethen Primary Schools, but construct a community facility on the identified site at Hillside Portlethen

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2. Retain the two existing primary schools and build a community facility on the identified site at Hillside, and include the core provision for a new school in the future.

3. Build a new primary school at Hillside, and assess the impact of this on the existing Portlethen Schools; with 540 pupils now, 355 pupils with larger school core facility of 540 for future proofing the building, or with 240 pupils

4. Build a new primary school at Hillside and retain and refurbish Fishermoss Primary School, with a view to close Portlethen Primary School

5. Build a new primary school at Hillside, retain and refurbish Fishermoss Primary School and construct a community facility on the site of the former Portlethen Primary School

There has already been wide consultation with the community on the proposals, with the community favouring a three-school solution.

Councillors are now being asked to approve option three, with a new 355-pupil capacity school with the resources for expanding to 540 pupils in the future.

The proposed option is estimated to cost £12.9m with a target completion date of June 2016.

There is currently no provision in the council’s Capital Plan or Revenue Budget for a new school at Portlethen.

While £1.8m towards the project can be met from planning gain, councillors are also recommended to instruct the Capital Plan Group to identify the remaining £11.1m funding in the Capital Plan and report back to the committee.

(JP/MH)