IKM Consulting appointed to £7M school project:

IKM Consulting, has announced that the firm has been appointed to perform site investigations for the building of a new primary school in Inverness.

The £7M Milton of Leys school project has been given the green light by Highland Council's education, culture and sport committee, with construction expected to be completed by August 2011. 

The new school would be able to accommodate initially up to 279 primary school pupils in 11 classrooms and 60 nursery pupils in two sessions.  The site will be approximately 300m in length and 100m wide, and the building design will allow for additional classrooms to be added in the future as required. 

Andrew Parsons, environmental director at IKM Consulting, said: "We are currently carrying out routine site investigations and risk assessments in order to gain in-depth knowledge of the land conditions for the construction design and planning process.

 "IKM have lengthy experience of working with councils on development projects of this nature. We place particular importance on creating sustainable solutions that retain as much material onsite as possible, rather than the traditional option of disposal to landfill. This is better for the environment not only by reducing the waste burden, but also the carbon footprint presented by unnecessary haulage."

Highland Council is keen to progress the project in order to ease pressure on class sizes in the area's existing Inshes Primary School.

The Milton of Leys Primary School catchment area will include the Milton of Leys and Dell of Inshes Housing Estates.