Plans for two new schools, as well as a community school complex, has progressed following the submission of the project's application.

If approved, the facilities would be located next to the existing Wick High School.

Included in the plans are:

• A new Wick High School
• A new primary school to replace Pulteneytown Academy Primary and South Primary
• The East Caithness Community Facility featuring a new swimming pool, fitness suite and library

Miller Construction are the preferred contractor for the construction of the complex and it has been suggested that work begins on the project this year, with a completion date of August 2015.

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The ambitious project is being funded by The Highland Council and the Scottish Government as part of the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme.

Plans for a new primary school serving the north of Wick will proceed separately, but with the same completion date of August 2015. It is proposed to build a new North of the River Primary School, combining North and Hillhead primary schools, within the grounds of the existing North Primary School. The project will also be delivered by the Hub North Scotland Ltd, with Miller Construction as the preferred contractor.

The total value of the all the Wick projects totals £53m.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman, Adult and Children's Services Committee, said: "I am absolutely delighted that we are maintaining momentum with this hugely important project for East Caithness with the submission of the detailed planning application for the Wick High School site. These are exciting times for the people of Wick and surrounding communities."

Councillor Deirdre Mackay, Leader of the Council's Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee, added: "This level of investment has been long overdue in Wick and it is hugely uplifting to see this major programme move steadily forward. Processes by their nature take time but it great to see this take shape and become a reality."

(JP/CD)