The desperate need for affordable housing in Oban has been highlighted as a decision looms over the future of a former school.
Argyll Community Housing Association (Acha) hopes to demolish the former Rockfield Primary School in the town centre and build flats.
But many local people want to save the “iconic” building and turn it into a community hub.
The building has lain empty since 2007 when the school relocated to the new primary campus on Soroba Road.
Acha has offered to pay owner Argyll and Bute Council £1 for the school. It wants to invest £5million demolishing the building and redeveloping the site, to provide 37 homes.
A community group, Oban Communities Trust, has been formed and plans to make an offer for the building and turn it into a cultural centre.
The council has re-advertised Rockfield for sale on the open market, with Friday being the closing date.
Ahead of Friday’s deadline, Acha tenants Andy Birnie and Lorraine Anne Drysdale, along with waiting list applicant, David McPhee, highlighted the pressing need for affordable housing in the town.
Mr Birnie lives in Soroba, Oban and Mrs Drysdale lives in Kirkton in Appin. Mr McPhee is on the association’s waiting list. He currently stays in staff accommodation in the Regent Hotel in Oban and wishes to rent in the town where he works.
They held aloft on site the figures 6, 5 and 9 to symbolise 659 – the number of people on the waiting list for an affordable home to rent in Oban.
Mr Birnie said: “This site has been available for seven years. It’s time it was used to meet the real needs of Oban’s people. Housing for families and the elderly is desperately needed. I don’t believe we should ignore the benefits of 37 new homes and associated jobs during the construction phase as well as the multi-million pound investment this will bring to the centre of Oban.”
The association’s proposals, if accepted, will see a 37 unit new build housing development; 15 of the properties will be made available to the council for care of the elderly.
During the two-year building phase 40 full-time jobs for construction workers will be provided.