Go ahead for Fort William office review

Members of The Highland Council’s Finance, Housing and Resources Committee today (27 November) gave their unanimous support and go ahead for the regeneration of the former Fort William Secondary School site at the south end of the town centre on Achintore Street for the Council’s new main offices to serve the town.

A target of completing the project by 2016 has been set and it is estimated that the preferred option will achieve year-on-year revenue savings of around £100,000.

The next phase will see the development of detailed proposals required to achieve the preferred option with the local key stakeholders and staff.

Local members, Thomas MacLennan, Leader of the Lochaber Area Committee, and Andrew Baxter spoke of their support for the regeneration of the former school site. They praised the Council officers involved for their considered and clear report and for their consultation and collaboration with staff, councillors and key stakeholders.

Councillor MacLennan said: “This is a win:win situation for Fort William.  We save the Council Tax payer money by delivering our Services more cost-effectively and efficiently and we regenerate a building near to the centre of the town which has lain empty in a derelict state for 25 years.”