PLANS to build a new Queen Margaret Academy have been given the green light with the official contracts signed.

The £25m project will provide places for 800 young people, with modern classrooms, interactive ICT, a large games hall, two gyms, two all-weather pitches, and hard games courts. 

The building will also house psychological services and a supported learning centre, which are already based at QMA.

The new Queen Margaret Academy will be built in the grounds of the existing school and is expected to open in October 2019. The current building will be demolished after the new school opens with the site to be fully landscaped.

Councillor Peter Henderson, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, at South Ayrshire Council, said the latest announcement was an important milestone.

He said: “We’re committed to providing young people with the best possible start in life, and delivering a first-class education goes a long way to helping achieve that.”

The contractor will be Kier Construction.

Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of delivery partner, hub South West, said, “The new Queen Margaret Academy is hub South West’s fifth educational collaboration with South Ayrshire Council, having recently completed the new Ayr Academy, innovative modernisation at Marr College in Troon, and new primary schools for Dailly and Tarbolton.

“The new academy will provide a wonderfully modern and inclusive community facility that will provide excellent resources and opportunities for the area.

“We look forward to proceeding to site with contractor Kier Construction in the coming weeks.”