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Temporary modular classrooms plan for pupils of fire-hit Park Primary in Invergordon


By Philip Murray

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The roof has been destroyed in places at Park Primary School. Picture: Highland Council.
The roof has been destroyed in places at Park Primary School. Picture: Highland Council.

PLANS to temporarily house a fire hit school's pupils in modular classrooms at a nearby high school are taking shape.

Highland Council has lodged plans to erect five modular buildings on land at Invergordon Academy.

The proposals, if approved, would result in the creation of eight temporary classrooms for the pupils of Invergordon's Park Primary, who have been based at Invergordon Academy ever since their own school was ravaged by the first of two fires that struck barely 12 months apart. The plans also include the creation of catering and dining facilities, which would fully occupy one of the five buildings.

A council spokeswoman said: "Modular accommodation for Park Primary will be sited at Invergordon Academy and a meeting with the parent council will be arranged in due course where the timeline will be discussed. The long term plan for the old Park Primary site is still being discussed."

The new plans were submitted in the wake of a second fire at Park Primary earlier this year.

At the time, a plan for three modular classroom buildings – creating space for six temporary classrooms at Park Primary itself – and a fourth building housing catering/dining facilities, was working its way through Highland Council's planning process.

Park Primary School the day after the fire..The front of the school is not looking its best..Picture: James MacKenzie..
Park Primary School the day after the fire..The front of the school is not looking its best..Picture: James MacKenzie..

That proposal has since been given the green light by council officers, but the second fire is thought to have prompted a rethink of their scale and location – reflected in the increased number of classrooms which will be created in the new plan at Invergordon Academy.

Parents have voiced their hopes for the youngsters to return to Park Primary in the longer term, and the limited five-year planning permission being sought for the modular classrooms is thought to reflect this.

Nearly a year to the day Park Primary School, Invergordon, catches fire again....Picture: Callum Mackay..
Nearly a year to the day Park Primary School, Invergordon, catches fire again....Picture: Callum Mackay..

On the planning application form, Highland Council said: "[There is] ongoing discussion regarding the future of Park Primary and the state of reinstatement or [a] new build. Likely design and build to be completed within five years, meaning the modular [classrooms] are only required temporarily for this period."

Highland Council pledges support after second fire at Park Primary


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