Delays likely for new Dalbeattie schools

Councillors have already approved the £24.5 million project and work was expected to start onsite near the current High School next month.
Now councillors have been told that an ongoing financial wrangle between the European Union and the Scottish Government could have an impact on the learning campus development.
Education chairman Jeff Leaver has written to Scottish Finance Minister John Swinney to seek assurances that the move will not affect the government’s ability to fund smaller infrastructure schemes.
The council had been advised that the review was “likely to have an impact” on the Dalbeattie project, which was due to achieve financial close on September 21.
Education councillors will be given an update on the latest position on Monday, but it has been estimated that there could be a cost of around £200,000 per month if the project is delayed.
Mr Leaver added: “Failure to come up with the funds on time will delay the new schools being built which will be disappointing to pupils and teachers.
“But it will also impact on local jobs, particularly local contractors and it will drive up costs.”
It’s three years since councillors agreed to proceed with the development of a shared campus for Dalbeattie High School and Dalbeattie Primary School and Nursery.
This was to replace two schools in poor condition with an innovative learning environment which would support positive outcomes for all the children and young people for Dalbeattie and its surrounding area.