Planning go ahead for new Wick North Primary School

Detailed plans for a new Primary School north of the river in Wick were given the go ahead today (Tuesday 14 January 2014) by The Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee.

The new school will be built on part of the existing playing fields serving the existing North Primary School on Girnigoe Street  and will replace North Primary School and Hillhead Primary School.

Work is expected to start after this Easter school holiday with the 330 pupils and 100 nursery pupils moving into their £14.1 million new school in August 2015.

The new school will include a library, dining and sports facilities, a 3-classroom Additional Support Needs facility, 90-place nursery, sports pitches and multi-use games area. Car parking access will be from Ackergill Street and a drop off zone will be created along Girnigoe Street.

The application was presented by Hub North Scotland Ltd who are delivering the school project for The Highland Council. Planning consent has already been granted to the Council for  the new 3 to 18 Wick Community Campus school south of the river - within the grounds of the existing Wick High School. The Community Campus facility will replace the existing Wick High School, South Primary School, Pulteneytown Academy Primary School, the community swimming pool and the community library.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair, Adult and Children’s Services Committee, said: “This is another milestone achieved in delivering the most modern education provision possible in Wick.  Our investment of £54 million is a huge boost to the local community and to the building industry in the area.  Good news all round.”