The Galliford Try business has been appointed as preferred contractor by hub South West Scotland on behalf of North Ayrshire Council for the £43.3m construction of the new Largs education campus.

Morrison will now proceed with obtaining planning permission for the scheme, which includes the relocation of Largs Academy, along with a relocated St Mary’s RC Primary School and an additional primary school, created by the amalgamation of Brisbane and Kelburn Primary Schools. The campus will be built on the grounds of the sportscotland Inverclyde National Centre at Burnside Road, Largs.

The facilities will accommodate a maximum pupil roll of 2,120 aged from two to 18. Galliford Try’s Investments business will also be investing in the company which will be set up to deliver the project.

Secondly, the firm has been appointed as the main contractor for the new Markethill Primary School in Turriff.

Work to replace the existing school, which will see a total investment of over £12m, is expected to commence in February 2016 and the new school is expected to be complete by August 2017.

The new school will be located on Meadowbank Road providing space for up to 505 primary pupils and a larger nursery facility will be provided on site, increasing the quality and availability of pre-school provision for parents.

The facility will include 18 classrooms, two general purpose rooms, library, additional needs provision, gym with two courts and changing rooms, dining hall, kitchen, offices and staff areas.

Consultation on the new school has already taken place locally following a report to Aberdeenshire Council’s education, learning and leisure committee in March where members also agreed ceasing provision at the existing school from July 2017.

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed a replacement school for Turriff in September 2011 and in January 2015 approved the design and project cost.

The contractor was approved by the council’s Formartine area committee last month.

Regional director of Morrison Construction, Mike Bruce, said: “We are delighted to have secured the construction of Markethill Primary School for Aberdeenshire Council, the people of Turriff and the surrounding area.

“Many of our staff have a strong personal interest in the project having grown up in the area. In fact, George Morrison, who heads up the team, has lived in Turriff for 43 years and three generations of his family have been educated at the existing school.”