Charleston Academy in Inverness to be torn down and rebuilt

THE first planning move towards the phased demolition and replacement of the ageing Charleston Academy community campus in Inverness has been made.

Highland Council has lodged paperwork as a prelude to seeking full planning permission.

The 724-pupil academy, opened in 1978, accommodates the Highland Football Academy and has an Albert Roux Training Kitchen.

The proposal is over nine parts: 1 is building a new nursery; 2 starting new secondary (Phase 1); 3 new secondary (Phase 2); 4 demolishing existing secondary; 5 provide parking and drop-off; 6 new secondary (Phase 3); 7 demolish community centre; 8 build new primary; 9 demolish existing primary.

Last year senior pupils and the parents council made a video pleading for improvements and highlighting the “outdated and unuseable facilities in parts of the school including leaking roofs, cramped spaces, poor lighting and non-functioning equipment.”

Parents, staff and pupils have since been working with the council on an upgrade plan.

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