Milestone marked as St Clement's special school relocation proposal put out to public consultation by Highland Council with spotlight on new site in Dingwall and date set for meeting
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A “milestone” event has been reached in the more than two decade battle to get a replacement building for the dilapidated St Clement’s Special School in Dingwall with the launch of a public consultation.
Highland Council this week released formal consultation documents to the public so they can have their say in the proposals to establish a new £13 million school just off Docharty Brae in Dingwall.
There will be an online public meeting on March 10 at 6.30pm while respondents have until Friday April 29 to email or write in their views on the location of the new school.
It was a long-held demand of campaigning parents to retain the school in Ross-shire’s market town because the pupils had always been welcomed in the area as well as its location.
And an informal consultation involving local councillors, the headteacher of St. Clement’s and members of the parent body revealed a “strong” demand for a new build while the parent council “favoured the school being located within Dingwall.”
It means that is ideally suited within the catchment area whereas other options such as Alness Academy had been discussed were seen as not appropriate because of the extra commuting time for those coming to the school from the west.
Precise details of the design and look of the proposed new school were not revealed but it is expected to have some of the following features including purpose built classrooms, multi-use games hall, and sensory and soft play rooms.
It is also likely to have a kitchen with dining area, quiet and activity or retreat rooms, appropriate toilet provision including assisted toilets and showers and the design will aim to maximise natural daylight and ventilation with modern energy efficient power.
Christyna Ferguson who had led the charge for the new build school was delighted that it looks like it will go ahead after many years but urged the local community to back the plans.
She said: “The papers released by Highland Council bring a sigh of relief and much delight – this is a bit of a milestone to finally have something in black and white a long overdue tangible commitment to the children of St.Clement's.
“However, we do still need the support of the community and urge as many supportive responses as possible.”
MSP Kate Forbes, who once described the state of the school as Dickensian, said: “Whilst I cannot get involved in the formal planning application process, I am absolutely delighted to see plans for a new St Clement’s in Dingwall take a significant step forward.
“There is no doubt that the current building is simply not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced as quickly as possible. This has been a long-running campaign, and I hope pupils, their families and staff are encouraged that there is growing light at the end of the tunnel.”
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