Forres Academy being rebuilt at Roysvale by Moray Council is facing increased criticism
Moray Council has responded to claims that plans for a new secondary school in Forres are beset by issues and should be built away from the designated site.
Forres New Academy Forum Facebook group member, Warren Jones, set out a range of problems with the local authority’s designs for the new Forres Academy, currently set to be constructed on the Roysvale playing fields by 2028.
He stated: “The new secondary will be built around constraints not community needs. It is already shaping up to be a building defined by compromise, designed to fit around site limitations rather than the needs of the community.
“Major issues that remain unresolved include: legal consent for the use of common good land has not been secured despite 82 per cent of the community voting against the change; Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and drainage reports are still outstanding; the concept design is already £2.5 million over budget before construction even begins; and the building will rise to four storeys, dominating the local landscape and overshadowing nearby veterans’ cottages.”
Moray Council has confirmed it has appointed legal counsel to support the common good application process for use of the land at Roysvale. However, court proceedings have yet to officially commence. SEPA will act as a statutory consultee during the planning application process.
A council spokesperson said: “We expect them to review the detailed information submitted. Dialogue is ongoing to assess potential issues at the site, including drainage considerations. Once a suitable solution has been agreed, the detailed design - incorporating all relevant drainage and SEPA-related information - will be included within the planning application submission.”
Mr Jones highlighted the fact that the design removes Applegrove’s playing fields, raising concerns for Additional Support Needs pupils, “with no dedicated outdoor space”.
He added that the development encroaches into Roysvale Park, narrowing it with a new bus lane. Applegrove Primary will lose its fields, “with no clear plan on how Roysvale will be shared between two schools and the community”.
The council spokesperson replied that the football pitch can currently be hired/booked by the public and the park is also used by Forres Academy for PE.
“These arrangements will remain in place,” he said. “The general public accesses this space for recreation which will also continue.
“Applegrove will also be able to use Roysvale Park and will have access to the new facilities and a 3G pitch.”
Roysvale is noted for its mature trees and green corridors. Mr Jones claimed promised biodiversity enhancements in the plans are not a meaningful replacement for this established habitat.
The local authority promises to carry out a tree survey “to guide the process responsibly”, stating that for every tree removed, replacement planting will be carried out as part of a “comprehensive” landscaping plan.
Mr Jones also flagged up designs showing that the school is to be three storeys, with a four-storey core.
He said: “The actual height may exceed what is shown, due to raised ground levels. Surrounding homes are mainly single-storey, making the visual intrusion and overshadowing severe.”
The council assures that the design of the new school is being developed with sensitivity to neighbouring properties.
The spokesperson added: “Design impacts will be carefully considered as part of the future planning approval process. Details of the project and overall design will be shared during the upcoming public consultation sessions, as well as on the project website and on display at Forres Library. These opportunities will allow the public to view the proposals and provide feedback.”
Mr Jones compared the current design to the new Lossiemouth High, which, he claimed, has faced strong criticism from users for poor functionality, lighting, and acoustics.
He said: “Window placement is restricted, likely due to privacy concerns with nearby homes. This may compromise energy efficiency, mental wellbeing, and the learning environment.
“There will be multi-function rooms at the new Forres Academy but without dedicated classrooms; teachers face major challenges with scheduling, continuity, and control over their teaching environment.
“These concerns have already been echoed in reviews of similar schools, like Lossiemouth.”
The council spokesperson established that, as a Learning Estate Investment Programme, the design of the new Forres Academy must meet “robust energy efficiency and low-carbon footprint metrics”.
He added: “These are closely monitored and future Scottish Government funding depends on the building demonstrating compliance over its first 25 years of operation.
“The new school design will maximise the use of natural daylight wherever possible and will fully comply with all relevant building and environmental standards.”
Mr Jones pointed out that disruption and prolonged construction will create barriers for pupils with additional support needs at Applegrove, “exacerbated by the lack of outdoor sensory space”.
Moray Council claims that the design process has focused on ensuring school spaces are optimised and adaptable, supporting changes in pupil numbers and curriculum.
“The new design has classrooms that can be timetabled across several different subjects,” said the spokesperson, “ensuring efficient and effective utilisation of space.
“Staff will have the facilities they need to deliver high-quality learning, including flexible spaces, which will be carefully planned to support effective timetabling, continuity, and a consistent teaching environment.”
Mr Jones believes that during construction, there will be concerns about noise and odour, partly created by waste and bin storage planned for near the veterans’ cottages on Orchard Road.
He added: “Proposed pile foundations could cause vibration-related damage to neighbouring homes and create unforeseen financial risks.”
The local authority spokesperson assured him that a health and safety plan will include the management of noise, as required by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
He said: “There will be clear rules on working hours, acceptable noise levels during construction etc.
“Elgin and Lossiemouth High Schools are examples of new build schools that have been constructed adjacent to an existing school. As with those projects, the management of the site will take account of all risks during construction.”
Finally, Mr Jones argued that narrow town centre streets and no clear parking or drop-off solutions will result in permanent traffic congestion in the town during and after construction of the new school.
He said: “Access via Sanquhar Road, Roysvale Place, and Orchard Road threatens to turn quiet residential streets into high-traffic zones. Drop-offs, bus movements, and overflow parking will overwhelm local infrastructure and jeopardise pedestrian safety, especially for children.”
The Moray Council spokesperson answered: “Traffic and parking surveys will be undertaken to inform the planning application process to understand traffic and parking patterns.
“Transportation will be a statutory consultee within the standard planning process.”
