Ness Castle Primary will not now open until next year as Highland Council confirms issues affecting the construction industry mean it will 'not be complete in time to allow it to be occupied from the start of the new term'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Pupils, parents and teachers will have to wait another three months before the new Ness Castle Primary school opens as the October deadline to start classes is set to be missed.
Highland Council confirmed that “due to multiple factors adversely affecting the construction industry” the school “will not be complete in time to allow it to be occupied from the start of the new term.”
That will be a significant blow to the school community with most pupils currently housed at the nearby Holm Primary in either temporary or spare classrooms and they will now have to go through part of the winter in them.
Related Stories:
- Plans drawn up in case new Ness Castle Primary School not ready after summer holidays
- Parents voice concern over planned unisex-only toilets at new Ness Castle and Ness-side primary and nursery school in Inverness
Concern for the council's school building programme
It is the latest blow to the local authority’s school building programme that has sparked considerable fears that the projects, seen as vital to several areas across the north, could be in real danger.
Three schools have been agreed already – the new Tain 3-18 campus, Nairn Academy and Broadford Primary and on top of that the council agreed to borrow the cash for repairs and replacement to several others.
They include a massive expansion of Culloden Academy, replacing St Clements Special school in Dingwall and the fire ravaged Park Primary in Invergordon and significant repairs for Beauly and Dunvegan primary schools.
Inflation, material shortages and expenses have all taken their toll on the projects and the financing that was originally agreed to fund the replacement and repair works for the schools.
What the council is saying
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “The delivery of the new Ness Castle Primary school is experiencing a further delay due to various factors currently affecting the construction industry.
“The council’s project team and the principal contractor having closely monitored the build, confirmed at a stakeholder meeting on Wednesday September 7 that due to multiple factors adversely affecting the construction industry, that Ness Castle Primary will not be complete in time to allow it to be occupied from the start of the new term in October.
“At the stakeholder meeting a clear consensus was reached that given the impact on the programme, the school should plan for occupation of the new building from the start of term three in January.
“Ness Castle Primary pupils will continue with the existing contingency arrangement and attend Holm Primary campus”.
“The council and the contractor remain focused on prioritising the delivery of a high quality learning facility and whilst disappointed that the programme has not been achieved, would like to thank parents, carers, pupils and staff for their understanding during these unprecedented times.”
She added: “We will continue to keep parents, carers and stakeholders informed on progress over the coming months and look forward with optimism to opening Ness Castle Primary in January 2023.”
