Elgin is in line for two new primary schools under rezoning proposals which could affect 25% of the town’s pupils.
Moray councillors yesterday agreed to a wide-ranging consultation on catchment areas for the six existing schools after being told four of them would be over their capacity in the coming years if no action was taken.
The children and young people’s services committee heard East End Primary is capable of housing 233 pupils, but the roll is expected to balloon to 409 by 2021.
A report from officers suggested this could be rectified if a new school capable of housing 278 pupils is built in the north of Elgin to accommodate pupils from the Pinefield area, and postcodes 1BS, 1LU and 1LT.
However, an alternative solution suggested by Keith and Cullen councillor Gary Coull would involve making use of the heritage centre which occupies ground on the school site.
He said: “The heritage centre takes up space that could be used by classrooms, at a time when we are desperate for space in Elgin.
“The school needs the space, and there are empty buildings elsewhere that could house the centre.”
Relocating the town’s historic collection could create two new classrooms and two general purpose areas, providing enough space for an estimated 130 youngsters, it was claimed.
Elsewhere, New Elgin Primary currently has 511 pupils and capacity for 531, but the figure is forecast to rise to as many as 750 by 2021.
Extending the school is not an option, as this would mean the loss of playground facilities and increased traffic.
Councillors heard there is scope to realign much of the current catchment to Greenwards Primary, but that this would not resolve the problem.
Instead officers are recommending a new school to serve the south-east of the town, with a projected capacity of 334 drawn from a new south-east catchment zone.
It would serve the Linkwood area to the east of Reiket Lane, along with new and current developments in the Thornhill area and to the east of the A941, as well as Fogwatt and the surrounding area.
The report also outlined fears that Bishopmill’s roll could rise to 471 pupils by 2021, over its capacity of 390.
Seafield is capable of teaching 353 children, but under current catchment areas it would be faced with 467 pupils by 2021.
Preliminary consultation talks will take place in April and May as part of a statutory procedure for changing school zones.
Further consultation will take place once revised zones are settled, at which point details on locations, designs and capacities will be clarified.