Mearns councillors have backed spending almost £1.5million to help allay the capacity fears around a local school.
The Kincardine and Mearns area committee yesterday approved the cost of extending Laurencekirk Primary.
The plans include three new classrooms, a general purpose room, toilets, storage and break-out space.
There will also be expansions to the north-east classroom wing, the nursery and entrance.
The general purpose room will be used for Laurencekirk’s out of school club, coffee and chat group and lunch club.
Bell Construction has won the contract for the works.
It is hoped the expansion of Laurencekirk Primary would help alleviate some pressure already being placed on a number of schools in the area.
Laurencekirk Primary’s roll has been predicted to rise from 300 pupils to 317 in the next five years, with the school capacity for 306.
Kincardine and Mearns area manager, Willie Munro, said: “This is a recommendation that we accept the lowest price tender to build an extension to Laurencekirk Primary School.
“We approved the development and cost estimates in June. All going well the construction will start at the end of May with completion in February 2017.”
Mearns councillor, George Carr, said: “I absolutely endorse this.”