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Strathspey primary school to be extended to meet growing number of pupils





The roll at Carrbridge Primary School is due to exceed capacity soon.
The roll at Carrbridge Primary School is due to exceed capacity soon.

The go-ahead has been given to extend Carrbridge Primary School to cope with a rising roll over the next few years.

Highland Council planners have approved the addition of a modular classroom in part of the grounds.

The local authority submitted the proposals recently for the school which is currently at maximum capacity with 75 children enrolled.

Next term the roll number is forecast to drop to 73 pupils but the following academic year is set to rise to 78 pupils with 11 new P1 arrivals projected so the classrooms will be at 104 per cent occupancy.

A gradual fall in pupil numbers is then forecast from 2027/28 with just 51 pupils (68 per cent occupancy) by 2039/40.

The application has just been given the green light by council planners using their delegated powers.

Planning officer Elaine Watt stated in her approval: “The proposal is to erect a new single classroom modular building adjacent to the main entrance to the school.

“The applicant has sought to avoid impact on the existing playground and sports areas of the school….

“The site is relatively flat and well-screened by existing boundary treatments.”

In the planning appraisal, the planning officer states: “The proposal is located within the settlement development area and is consistent with the established educational use of the site.

“The site is part of the established Carrbridge Primary School campus, and the proposed modular classroom represents a minor extension to an existing educational facility.

“The development supports the continued use of the site for educational purposes and responds to an identified operational need for additional teaching space.

Ms Watt concludes: “While having little architectural merit, modular buildings like this are designed for short to medium term use and as such it is acceptable.”

The proposed modular classroom will measure 9.15m by 9.76m and include a classroom, bathrooms and storage rooms.

An external ramp will provide access to the building.

The council’s forestry team was consulted and confirmed that although the addition will lead to the felling of a small number of trees, they have no objection providing the remaining trees are protected and some compensatory planting is carried out.

The trees to be axed had been described as of poor quality in an earlier report.

The education authority had stated in its submission to Highland Council planners: “Due to an increase in school role there is a requirement for one primary classroom which meets the current care and learning standards.

“The modular unit is required as an interim solution until such time as a further catchment review takes place as part of the next 10-year plan.”

Morrison Construction Ltd will be the contractor and the modular unit supplier is SIBCAS.


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