Local community updated on the New Gaelic School Caol, Fort William

The Highland Council has taken further steps to improve the way in which it communicates with local residents and stakeholders regarding the building of the new Gaelic School in Caol, Fort William. 

In recent weeks the Council has held its first local liaison group with residents, and also held a further stakeholder group meeting on Monday 24 November, and a liaison group later that week, to keep interested parties up to date with progress, and provide opportunity for discussion. 

Council officers provided an update on the project and the gym hall cladding, which has now commenced and is progressing well. From these meetings there has been productive discussion around alternative options to the glazing of the gym hall, which it is acknowledged has been a matter of concern to some local residents.  The Council now expects to finalise its discussions on glazing options in the coming weeks, and it is optimistic that a consensus solution can be identified.  Any change would remain subject to normal planning approval. 

The Council will continue its productive discussions with the liaison and stakeholder groups as the project progresses, and is on track to deliver the new school by the target date of July 2015.

Chair of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee, Alasdair Christie said, “We are aware that a small number of concerns have been raised by some local residents and officers are continuing to meet with stakeholders to listen to their views and address any issues identified.

“The Council is investing significant sums of capital in building new schools for communities in Lochaber to ensure pupils and staff benefit from well designed, fit for purpose buildings, and the best possible learning opportunities.”