Aberdeenshire Council has unveiled ambitious plans to transform the site of the former Ellon Academy into a £1.5 million affordable housing development. The proposal aims to breathe new life into the vacant land, which has remained unused since the annex of the old school was demolished in 2017.
Ellon Academy, once a cornerstone of the local community, was demolished nearly a decade ago after students relocated to a state-of-the-art £36 million campus at Cromleybank in 2016.
While part of the site has been redeveloped into Formartine House—a two-story facility housing a library, family resource centre, and council offices—the remaining land has stood empty until now
The council’s latest plans include building 11 affordable homes on the site, comprising a mix of houses and flats. The development will feature three one-bedroom flats, three two-bedroom flats, four three-bedroom houses, and one four-bedroom house. Each property will have designated parking spaces equipped with electric vehicle chargers—a nod to sustainability and modern living.
Aberdeenshire Council has emphasised that the project is part of its broader strategy to meet growing demand for affordable housing in Ellon and surrounding areas. A spokesperson for the council stated: “This development will help address the pressing need for affordable housing while revitalising unused land in the heart of Ellon.”
The mix of flats and houses is designed to cater to diverse family sizes and needs.
Local residents have expressed optimism about the project’s potential benefits. The redevelopment aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance Ellon’s infrastructure and community resources. Formartine House, which opened earlier this year, has already become a hub for local services, and the new housing project is expected to complement these facilities.
Planning papers for the development are now available for public viewing, allowing residents to engage with and provide feedback on the proposal.
