Aberdeen heritage group fights to save St Peter's School from demolition

Key facts

• Councillors approved plans to upgrade St Peter's School in November 2023.
• The school will remain in Old Aberdeen rather than move to Riverbank School.
• Plans include refurbishing Old Aberdeen House and adding a new extension.
• The original single-storey school building is slated for demolition.
• Old Aberdeen Heritage Society is campaigning to save the historic structure.
• The school currently operates across four buildings due to overcrowding.
• The library is used as a classroom and temporary cabins have been installed.

A battle over heritage and education

A heritage group in Aberdeen is calling for the original St Peter’s School building to be saved from demolition, arguing it holds significant historic value. The Old Aberdeen Heritage Society has urged the city council to reconsider its plans, which would see the single-storey structure razed as part of a broader redevelopment. The dispute highlights tensions between modernising educational facilities and preserving architectural heritage. The council approved the upgrade plans in November 2023, aiming to create a 21st-century learning environment for pupils. The decision followed years of overcrowding at the school, which has struggled to accommodate its growing student population.

Overcrowding drove the need for change

Education bosses argued that action was necessary at St Peter’s because the school was unable to cope with an overcapacity of children. The library had been converted into a classroom, and temporary cabins were installed to expand teaching space. As a result, the school was split across four buildings on a confined site, creating logistical challenges. The original plan was to move the school to the vacant Riverbank School in Tillydrone, but councillors instead opted to keep St Peter’s in Old Aberdeen. The approved scheme includes refurbishing Old Aberdeen House and adding a new extension to deliver modern facilities.

Heritage society makes its case

The Old Aberdeen Heritage Society is urging the council to preserve the original single-storey building, which it describes as having historic significance. The group has called on officials to 'think again' about the demolition, emphasising the building's role in the local community. The society believes that the structure can be integrated into the redevelopment plans rather than being torn down. The council has not yet responded to the heritage group’s appeal. The decision will ultimately rest with local councillors, who must balance educational needs with conservation concerns.

Fire crews respond to separate incident

In an unrelated event, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to a domestic property on South Esplanade West on Friday afternoon to remove unsafe roof slates. The alarm was raised at 1:05pm, and one engine along with a height appliance were dispatched to the scene. No injuries were reported, and crews worked to make the structure safe. A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed that operations control mobilised the necessary resources. The incident was resolved without casualties, and the property was secured.

What lies ahead for St Peter's

The fate of the original St Peter’s School building now rests with the council, which must weigh the heritage society’s objections against the approved redevelopment plans. The school’s overcrowding issues are unlikely to abate without the expansion, but the loss of a historic structure could spark further opposition. The debate reflects broader questions about how cities can modernise infrastructure while respecting their architectural past. The council is expected to make a final decision in the coming months. Until then, the heritage society continues to campaign for a compromise that preserves the building’s legacy.

The bottom line

• The Old Aberdeen Heritage Society is fighting to save the original St Peter’s School building from demolition.
• Council plans approved in November 2023 aim to address severe overcrowding at the school.
• The school currently operates across four buildings, with the library used as a classroom.
• The heritage group argues the single-storey building has historic significance worth preserving.
• A separate fire service incident on South Esplanade West involved unsafe roof slates but no injuries.
• The council must decide between modernisation and heritage conservation in the coming months.