Plans for new Nairn Academy approved

Councillors have approved plans for a new Nairn Academy.

Highland Council wants to demolish the current 50-year-old school buildings, which are in poor condition and contain asbestos.

Potentially dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered in the school last year.

Highland Council officers had recommended that a planning applications committee granted permission for the new building.

Nairn Academy has a roll of about 670 pupils.

The new three-storey replacement would have capacity to accommodate 720 pupils.

A synthetic grass pitch, multi-use games area and a 100m running track would also be created.

The school would have a games hall, gymnasium and fitness suite.

Last year, Highland Council said the school could cost £59m.

In May, councillors approved investing £2bn over the next 20 years to build new schools and upgrade roads.

Highland Council said it would pay for the plan by borrowing money and using 2% of the money it collects through council tax.

Almost 70 of its more than 200 schools have been rated to be in a poor condition and 74 rated as being of poor suitability.