MOBILISATION works are set to begin on the £87.5 million build of the new Forres Academy, after Moray Council received approval from the Court of Session to use part of Rosvale Park to support the project.
Forming part of the Forres Common Good Land, permission is required under Section 75 (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 before any change to the use of Common Good land can take place.
The court has now granted permission, allowing the council to temporarily use a section of the park for site-setup during construction, including a contractor’s compound and parking for construction vehicles.
Approval has also been given for the permanent use of land within Roysvale Park, next to Sanquhar Road, to create a bus drop-off area that will support safe transport arrangements for pupils once the new academy becomes operational.
Before submitting the petition, the council carried out a statutory consultation on the proposed use of the Common Good land. The consultation ran from 18 September to 12 November 2024 and included a drop-in session in Forres. Feedback received during the period was reviewed and helped inform the council’s decision to proceed with the court application.
Speaking after the court’s decision, Moray Council leader, councillor Kathleen Robertson, said, “We welcome the court’s decision, which allows us to move forward with plans to deliver a safe, modern school environment for our pupils. We recognise there are strong views locally about the use of land at Roysvale Park, and we understand that not everyone will agree with this outcome.
“As a council, we’ve a responsibility to make decisions that support the long-term needs of our community, and that includes ensuring our children and young people have the facilities they need to learn, grow and succeed in the years ahead.”
The next step in the project will see mobilisation works begin on the site in the coming weeks ahead of main construction activity, which will be led by Balfour Beatty. The new school will be completed and operational by autumn 2028, Moray Council said.
