Plans approved for New Peterhead Academy

Plans approved for long-awaited replacement of new Peterhead Academy

Councillors have welcomed and approved plans for the much-anticipated replacement Peterhead Academy – marking a major milestone for a project long championed by the local community.

The ambitious new academy promises to deliver a modern, inspiring and fully accessible learning environment which will support education, wellbeing and community life for decades to come.

Construction is expected to start in April next year, with pupils and staff moving into the new academy in mid-August 2028. The project will be delivered by Hub North Scotland Ltd in partnership with Robertson Construction Eastern.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee heard today (Tues, Dec 2) that the proposed academy features a striking central square footprint with two elongated wings – one running parallel to Kinmundy Road and the other extending south across the site.

Peterhead Academy image 3 min — Image cortesy by Aberdeenshire Council | Plans approved for long-awaited replacement of new Peterhead Academy

The three-storey design brings together a wide range of high-quality facilities including:

Ground floor: A versatile mix of learning rooms, a full sports hall and gymnasium with high internal ceilings, drama spaces, meeting and conference rooms, workshops, storage, kitchen facilities and accessible changing rooms

Upper floors: Modern classrooms, laboratories, workshops, support spaces, plant rooms and flexible teaching areas designed to meet evolving curriculum needs

Roof level: Energy-efficient plant, ventilation systems and photovoltaic panels, with louvered screening to reduce visual impact and support the project’s sustainability goals

A comprehensive design and access statement was submitted with the application which showcases the evolution of the building’s layout as well as proposed high-quality materials that reflect both durability and modern aesthetics.

The council’s Planning Service advised that the new academy will sit within an extensively improved and thoughtfully planned landscape. A network of pedestrian pathways throughout the site will enhance movement and accessibility, while retaining the existing core path and offering additional central walking routes from south to north.

Outdoor sports and recreation facilities will be a standout feature, including a synthetic running track with grass infield area, an all-weather rugby/football pitch and a grass football/rugby pitch to the south.

All pitches will be enclosed with appropriate fencing and served by new floodlighting and the site will also include courtyards, play areas, outdoor seating, cycle storage and extensive planting designed to promote biodiversity net gain.

In its submission to the planning application, Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) praised the strategic importance of the development, highlighting its strong alignment with Aberdeenshire Council priorities and its potential to significantly enrich community life.

LLA emphasised its commitment to maximising community access to the new academy’s facilities, enhancing dual-use opportunities so local groups and residents can enjoy the campus outside school hours and fostering programmes which promote physical activity, wellbeing and stronger social connections

Concerns about perceived loss of pitches at Kinmundy were addressed, with Live Life Aberdeenshire – supported by Sport Scotland and the SFA – confirming that the three new high-quality pitches will not only replace but improve upon historic provision which had been significantly underused. The expanded and modernised facilities will support efforts to reduce barriers to participation and encourage lifelong engagement in sport and physical activity.

Welcoming the milestone, area committee chair Cllr Dianne Beagrie said afterwards: “We are delighted to have approved the plans for this long-awaited new academy. Councillors expressed enthusiasm for the transformational impact the new Peterhead Academy will have on learners, staff, families and the wider Buchan community. This approval marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the town and surrounding area – one that blends innovative educational design with inclusive, future-focused community facilities.”