PART of a Helensburgh primary school site was correctly included in a list of assets for possible council disposal, an executive director has said.
The former annexe site at Hermitage Primary School has been the subject of concern about possible use for housing.
Several local councillors have voiced their opposition to the idea, but Argyll and Bute Council listed the site as being proposed for disposal in its budgeting pack for 2026/27.
Confirmation was received earlier in a committee meeting that Luing Primary School, which is currently mothballed, was included on the list in error.
However, executive director Douglas Hendry said that Hermitage Primary was correctly listed and advised that community interest had not currently been “crystalised” sufficiently for any proposal to be made.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee on Thursday, February 19.
Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn) asked: “As policy lead for education, I am aware that there are also questions around Hermitage Primary and the land there.
“It is not exactly the same as Luing Primary, but it may not be available for disposal. Can officers provide any clarity and are there any other [sites] on that list that might not fall into the disposal category?”
Mr Hendry responded: “That is included on the list as it is surplus to the requirement of education, and a number of possibilities have been raised.
“There has been some suggestion that there would be community interest, but that is not crystalised to such a state that there is any proposal that would be taken forward.
“Hermitage Primary annexe is correctly on the list as a site being considered for disposal but we are not at the stage where that is ready to proceed.
“That is probably as much of an update as I can give at this point in time.”
During a meeting of the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee in September, Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North) said: “I make no bones about it, I would support the creation of an extended playground area and we have to be very conscious of the security. The more we can keep an eye on our young children the better within the confines of the school.”
Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) also said: “I agree with everything Councillor Corry has said, and we can maybe work together on a joint approach to officers.”
