Plans approved for Peterhead projects
Peterhead Community Campus and the Peterhead Cultural Quarter project have taken another step forward following a meeting of full council today (Thursday).
For Peterhead Community Campus, members heard that demolition work began this week on the pavilion and multi-use games area to clear the site ahead of anticipated construction works.
Work is due to start on the campus in spring next year on the playing fields off Kinmundy Road, subject to planning approval.
The new campus aims to provide a modern, purpose-built learning environment with room for 1,400 pupils.
Delivery of the project will be led by Hub North Scotland Ltd in partnership with Robertson Construction Eastern.
At Thursday’s meeting, councillors were asked to consider and develop potential options for ‘site 2’ – the current campus.
It was agreed that once the new campus is open in August 2028, a demolition of the existing academy site will then begin.
The leisure centre and theatre will remain and receive upgrades, with plans being actively developed.
Members asked that officers consider alternative use of the sports hall and ancillary areas to maximise use of existing space.
For the Cultural Quarter, work is progressing with Arbuthnot House with construction work planned to start early next year.
Arbuthnot House will be restored and extended to house both the town’s library and a new regional museum showcasing Aberdeenshire’s extensive historical collections and artwork.
Multi-purpose and workshop spaces will sit alongside a new dedicated facility to attract temporary national exhibitions. The facility is set to include a restaurant with views of the harbour, and the building’s former walled garden would be transformed into a new public green space.
The existing Carnegie Building on the town’s St Peter Street is to be restored and converted into a new creative and cultural venue.
Work continues on this, and a lease for the new operator will shortly be agreed.
Provost of Aberdeenshire Cllr Judy Whyte said: "I am pleased that plans continue to push forward for the Peterhead community.
“For the Academy, we look forward to plans being approved and work beginning on a new school which meets the needs of pupils and prepares them for work and life in the 21st century.
“As a council, we remain committed to a discussion in the community to ensure the future of the current site delivers for the local community and we’ll be working in conjunction with them, our partners, and organisations to make the most of the opportunities available to us.
“The Levelling Up projects show another significant investment and will involve major refurbishment and extension works to Arbuthnot House.”
Aberdeenshire Council co-leader Cllr Anne Stirling said: “We received comprehensive and positive information on the major projects being carried out at Peterhead, our largest town in Aberdeenshire.
“For both sites, we will work closely with local members and the community through the existing place planning arrangements already underway in the town. The potential of an enhanced community leisure provision is great.
“I look forward to receiving further updates on the programme that will bring significant benefits for Peterhead and the wider Buchan area.”
Aberdeenshire Council co-leader Cllr Stewart Adams said: “The council has a commitment to deliver on Place. The unprecedented, planned programme of project at Peterhead will deliver on that ambition.
“We are again demonstrating our long-standing commitment to construct Peterhead Academy and enabling works on that project commenced this week.
“We will invest significant sums to retain existing culture and leisure facilities in their current location, whilst undertaking essential works to the building services, building fabric, and structure.
“The Levelling Up projects are considerable in scale, the most significant involving major refurbishment and extension works to Arbuthnot House.”
You can keep up to date with all these projects by visiting https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/hub-page/peterhead