School demolition under way

Work to demolish a former academy in Laurencekirk is progressing.

Mearns Academy closed in 2014 and has remained empty since and Aberdeenshire Council decided it would knock down the building last year.

After it has been demolished the local authority plans to sell off the land.

Mike Robson, of Laurencekirk Development Trust, said it is hoped the land will be sold for commercial development.

He said: “It is to be put on the open market and the inclination would be that people want to see the council support a commercial development.

“It is really something that is lacking for Laurencekirk.

“But they might sell it to the highest bidder – there is some concern it could be another housing developer.”

Mr Robson said a survey had previously been carried out on the site to assess its future use.

He said an external assessment was carried out by Halliday Fraser Munro and recommended that it was used for commercial development.

A council spokeswoman said: “The contractors commenced on site in the middle of April and the demolition works are expected to be completed by the end of May.

“At present all of the single storey buildings have been demolished.”

Last year the site became a target for vandals and thieves and a call was made for demolition work to begin quickly.