Construction on the new £42 million complex was halted last year at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now it has emerged that the contractor is entitled to claim back any extra costs they incurred as a result of the stoppage.

The prospect of a “substantial” claim was raised at a Moray Council meeting last week.

Elgin City North councillor Frank Brown said: “The contractor would have been entitled to claim government grants during the shutdown with staff able to be put on furlough.

“I would hope that would all be taken into account when calculating any additional sums they might be due.”

Moray MacLeod, the council’s acting head of housing and property, added: “There is a lot of work going on in the background about what the contractor can claim back, which ranges from staff costs to additional Covid precautions they have needed to take.

“Claims start much larger and then you go through it in more detail and reduce it to a fair figure.”

Balfour Beatty confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.

A spokesperson told Scottish Construction Now: “Balfour Beatty is focused on the safe and successful delivery of the new Lossiemouth High School, with the project scheduled for hand over this week.

“As discussions with Hub North Scotland remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”