Moray Council's Planning and Regulatory Service committee has officially granted planning permission for the new Forres Academy. During a meeting today, Wednesday 14 January 2026, councillors approved the £87.5 million project to replace the current school, which has been partially closed since 2023 following the discovery of potentially dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

The new 12,126m² facility will be constructed on land next to Applegrove Primary School, creating a unified 5-18 community shared campus. The project is a key part of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP).

Key Features of the New Campus

- Capacity: A modern three-storey building designed for 1,120 pupils (1,080 secondary and 40 enhanced ASN provision).

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- ASN Facilities: Dedicated spaces for pupils with Additional Support Needs, including a secure garden and specialised drop-off area.

- Community Access: Public access to fitness suites, community gardens, and performance areas outside of school hours.

- Sports Provision: A new 3G synthetic pitch (to be built on the site of the current school), while the existing grass pitch at Roysvale Park will be retained.

- Sustainable Design: The building will feature masonry cladding (referencing local sandstone), rain gardens for drainage (SuDS), and EV charging points in the car park.

Cllr David Gordon, Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, stated: "We recognise how important the future of the school is to the community, and I'd like to sincerely thank those who have shared their views and contributed throughout this process. This represents a significant and positive opportunity to replace the existing school with a modern, fit-for-purpose facility."

To ensure continuity for students, the existing Forres Academy will remain in use throughout the build. Construction is expected to begin in June 2026, with the new academy targeting an opening date in Summer 2028.

Once the new school is operational, the old building will be demolished to make way for the project's final phase: the completion of the main car park and the first all-weather 3G pitch in Forres.