February 4 2016

Highland Council is to press ahead with an office rationalisation programme, the centrepiece of which will see the B-listed former Fort William secondary school (currently a ruined shell) remodelled as a civic hub, including demolition of a canteen hut and gym.

Designed in-house the £6m project will see a contemporary extension built and interiors reorganised to form a new reception space, registry, council chambers, committee rooms and office space.

Describing the proposed extension, which has already secured planning approval, the council said: “The extension will be simple in form and use a modest palette of robust and sustainable materials. It will be more lightweight than the existing building, with good thermal properties and large amounts of glazing. It is proposed that this is built in structural steel frame with timber infill panels, composite suspended floor and clad externally with a combination of metal cladding and concrete panels.”

The extension will overlook a south facing landscaped courtyard South Facing landscaped courtyard that will double as a flexible function space and break out area.

Completion of the new hub in May 2017 will allow the council to vacate three leased properties within the town centre.

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