Locals have launched a scathing attack on the design for new council offices in a Highland town.
Fort William Community Council said the local authority’s proposal for the refurbishment and extension of the town’s former senior secondary school was more in keeping with an “agricultural shed” than offices.
The old school building at Achintore Road is one of the few listed buildings in Fort William, and has lain empty for more than 25 years.
Now, it will be turned into a new civic centre and council office, replacing offices currently occupied by the council in Fort William at Lochaber House, Fulton House and Tweeddale.
Neil Clark, chairman of Fort William Community Council, said the design diminishes its architectural significance and aesthetic appearance.
“We welcome the proposed renovation of the existing building and also the principle of the provision of new office space, registrars, service point, council chambers and committee rooms and the formation of a new access road from the A82,” he said.
“However, we strongly object to the position, design and materials proposed for the extension as applied for.”
“While the granite finish is a vast improvement on the concrete panels, the zinc cladding and aluminium clad windows definitely do not complement the existing stone building. That type of cladding, while currently in vogue, will soon go the way of other trendy materials and cause future generations to curse the designers who inflicted this on the community.
“The extension, as applied for, is more in keeping with an agricultural shed rather than operational office facility.”
Fort William councillor Brian Murphy said he would remove himself from the planning process so that he can speak freely about his distaste for the design.
“Councillors are not encouraged to speak out about planning applications before they come up for consideration at the meetings, but I feel very strongly about this,” he said.
No one from the Highland Council could be contacted for comment last night.