Inverness new school delay deemed ‘huge disappointment’ by Highland councillor

There will be “huge disappointment” for pupils, parents and teachers who attend an Inverness high school it has been claimed, as plans for a new facility are pushed back a year.

Inverness West councillor Alex Graham spoke out over the delay to replacing Charleston Academy after raising the matter at the full council meeting on Thursday.

The new building for Charleston Academy is one of seven school improvement projects that have been promised by Highland Council as part of its Highland Investment Programme (HIP), a long term investment and borrowing plan for improving regional infrastructure.

The original timeline for the Charleston project was agreed last year, along with an allocation of funds for the development, with an opening date set for August 2029.

During a discussion at Thursday’s meeting about investment programme progress Cllr Graham asked for confirmation of when the new school would be operational.

Malcolm MacLeod, Highland Council’s assistant chief executive, said the dates provided in the investment programme report presented at the meeting were “as best we know them”.

The report states that the planned “operational” date for the new Charleston Academy is now August 2030 – a year later than the previously given date of 2029.

Mr MacLeod said “long discussions” had taken place to try and ensure the projects were completed to the original timeline.

But he added: “We feel these (new dates) are realistic and achievable.

“The team are working to bring these projects in as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Graham said the expected delay will be a “huge disappointment” to the community, adding the new build is “vitally important” to the 700-plus pupils who attend Charleston.

Issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) has already cost the council “millions” and the currently 48-year-old building is of “poor standard”.

He added: “I urge the council to take every step to avoid any further delay, and also to set up the stakeholder group to consult parents, pupils and other users about the new building.”

Charleston’s replacement was first granted planning permission in 2024.

Highland Council did not wish to comment on Cllr Graham’s statement.