New design for £54m Nairn Academy revealed

Changes to the original plans for a new secondary school in Nairn have been revealed after a redesign was necessary due to the jump in building costs.

The team behind the design for the new Nairn Academy have showcased the planned changes to reflect the impact of inflation and soaring costs.

However, the budget for the new building has been increased from almost £38 million to just over £54 million, according to reports to be discussed by Highland councillors on Thursday.

The main changes will involve the planned bridge connecting two buildings (which will now be linked on all floors as a u-shaped construction) and the internal court as well as a different courtyard layout and orientation of the building.

Last Wednesday, parents and members of the local community were invited for an initial planning consultation for the preliminary new proposal.

Nairn Academy head teacher Julie MacDonald said: “We are delighted to see the plans progress for the new Nairn Academy. Pupils and staff are excited to see the next stage plans which will provide us with great teaching and learning spaces.

“It was good to have input from community partners and residents, in particular the Nairn Access Panel, to assist in ensuring our new community school is accessible to all in the community.

“We are aware there have been changes to the footprint and external spaces and the school has been fully involved in discussions around this and our feedback has been taken on board.

“The school will provide a valuable resource for the Nairn community and the new modern facility will allow our young people and staff a motivating place to learn, work and thrive."

On the new proposed planning, contractors state that they took the opportunity to "revisit the fundamentals" of the building, with a structure and layout aimed at "maximising the use of space".

Local councillor Paul Oldham said: "I'm pleased to see that Nairn Academy is still going ahead, even though the council has been obliged to redesign it a little to reduce construction costs in the face of the huge rises in construction costs across the industry, and I look forward to seeing pupils getting a much better building to learn in by summer 2026."

Construction is planned to start during summer 2024 and the site should be complete and operational for the school year starting in August 2026.

A presentation of the new proposed design is available on the Highland Council's website, alongside a feedback form to be returned by September 15 which will be fed into the public consultation process.

Councillors look set to break multiple promises made to pupils, parents and staff by ditching 10 major school building projects to slash more than £120 million from its capital programme.

But if the plans are agreed, the proposed £15.5 million new primary at Tornagrain would be saved with work scheduled to start in 2027.

The plans also include abandoning £377,000 flood prevention schemes for River Nairn and Auldearn Burn.

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