Inverness High School work set for next six months
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A £15 million refurbishment of Inverness High School is set to continue after planning permission was granted for a second phase of works on the historic art deco-style building.
Work has already been carried out on the original part of the historic building which first opened in 1937.
Involving a partial demolition of the B-listed structure the new extension, including 14 classrooms, along with offices and a state-of-the-art biomass energy centre, was deemed necessary by Highland Council planners who stated in a report that the school had “suffered from lack of investment and maintenance over many years.”
The school received special permission from the Scottish Government to close for one day in May to allow pupils and staff to move into the new facilities before the summer break.
The latest work will involve demolition of 1970s additions and alterations to the building along with the construction of a new first floor corridor and plant room.
It will also include the creation of new kitchens and ancillary facilities, refurbishment of the central hall area including removing walls in the main hall to facilitate more flexible and sociable patterns of use.
A new dining area will also be created and new teaching spaces will be created in the backstage areas of the hall.
A new corridor planned for the first floor level aims to improve circulation and accessibility to and within the upper level while a lift will also be installed.
Hard and soft landscape works in a current courtyard will provide the school with an improved main entrance, more readily usable outdoor social space, accessible car parking and secure bike storage.
Permission for all of the work has been granted subject to various conditions.
Work is currently expected to be completed by March next year.
