Ellon Academy

Next weeks Formartine Area Committee will, I hope, finally decide on the site for the new Ellon Academy.  After a long process and having explored many options, it now looks like the Academy will be sited south of the river at Cromleybank with a new footbridge over the river around the Meadows helping link the Academy to the town in the short term. 

This fits with the Local Plan, keeps the school as close to the town centre as possible and fits with the expectations of the town.

Now I know the offer of land to the north looks attractive to some.  But the land is only worth £9m if it is at development land value - and it is agricultural land.   I have opposed development to the north of the bypass; we need to bring the town together not simply add more peripheral estates to the edges.  The Cromleybank development option was far superior and the Academy was an integral part of the plan.   We would lose a lot in the long term to change strategy now.

Snow

I want to share two things with you. First a lovely map of the snow across the UK from the BBC and Dundee University.

And secondly, the Met Office Snow Map.

Enjoy!