Potential uses of a north-east school site which will be replaced by a £36million community campus have been put forward by developers.
The new Ellon Academy site at Cromleybank is due to open in 2015 but a decision on what will happen to the current building in the town’s Schoolhill Road has yet to be made.
Yesterday, Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee discussed the development sites that could be included in the next local development plan.
Among the suggestions for the existing academy site are a new health centre, a hotel and housing.
Another potential use of the site is retail space which officers rejected, instead urging councillors to support the town centre rather than out-of-centre developments.
Chairman of the Formartine area committee Rob Merson said local councillors had backed a site next to the town’s park and ride at Westerton Farm.
The site could be used to create 11,111 sq yds of shopping space and employment land if it is included in the next local development plan.
Ellon councillor Mr Merson said: “All the local members are aware of the strong support in the community for modern retail facilities.
“The site is adjacent to the park and ride and there are already a few retail units within the proximity of the land.”
He added that careful consideration would be given to the range of options available for the existing academy site.
Mr Merson said: “It is a council-owned site so the objective is to get the best value for the public pound but we also need to consider the best use for the community.
“High density housing could be put on the site but all the councillors recognise that is not what the community would be looking for and not necessarily the best option.”
Health chiefs have held talks with Aberdeenshire Council about using the school site as the location for a replacement health facility but NHS Grampian say it could be years before there is a new medical centre in Ellon.
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: “As this report notes, it will be some years before we are in a position to deliver a new health centre for Ellon.
“Any speculation on potential sites for this building would be premature.”
The committee has recommended that the site be recognised as mixed use. Comments from all area committees will be forwarded to the infrastructure services committee, which will make a final decision on what sites are included in the new local development plan.