A former north-east primary school has been deemed surplus to council requirements, despite concerns a nearby play park will be affected.
Old Fordyce Primary – adjacent to the new and in-use Fordyce Primary – will now be touted to other Aberdeenshire Council departments. If none wish to take on the school, it will be sold or transferred as a community asset.
Councillors on the Banff and Buchan area committee met earlier this week to discuss a report from the education service on the future of the building.
In June a report was deferred to allow the local community council to be consulted.
Going forward, they asked to be consulted about future uses of the building if the authority proceeded with the process to transfer or sell it.Alex Bain, a business officer with the education service, meanwhile raised concerns about where equipment currently held at the school would be stored if the building was sold.
But local councillor Ian Gray said he was primarily concerned about the future of the play park near the building.
“If there are plans to move it, then I’m quite happy, but I would like it deferred for future discussions,” he added.
Mr Bain revealed the future of the park relied ultimately on what the building could be used for. There was hope, however, that it could remain in place if another council service took control of the school.