THE FORMER Hermitage Academy building in Colgrain could be sold within the next few weeks.

Argyll and Bute Council are in the process of selling surplus properties in the Helensburgh and Lomond area and have concluded the sale of three with the former Hermitage Academy building expected to follow shortly.

Property development manager Ross McLaughlin, gave an update to the members of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area committee meeting who were pleased to see sales being made.

The former council and ACHA offices in James Street, known as Scotcourt, have now been sold and a planning application has been submitted to upgrade the office accommodation and create space for martial arts training.

Also sold is the former school house, known locally as the Rainbow Centre on School Road Kilcreggan and a commercial unit on ferry Road, Rosneath. The new owners have plans to bring both buildings back into use.

Work to sell other properties in the area including Blairvadach House, the marriage rooms in West King Street and the municipal buildings in Sinclair Street, is ongoing.

The former municipal buildings are currently under offer with Peckham's who have had specialist fire and building engineers assessing the building and Argyll and Bute Council are expecting the completion of their building warrant submission by the end of this month.

Mr McLaughlin told the meeting last Thursday that Blairvadach was a "prime site" and had "substantial offers" which were being considered.

A film company is looking to lease Blairvadach for five months in May 2018 to film an unnamed TV show but Ross assured councillors that the filming would not get in the way of the sale.

He said: "We think the two are mutually compatible and I don't think it will have an impact on the sale but the filming won't go ahead if the developer is concerned."

Councillor Ellen Morton, chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, said:“The council doesn’t want buildings lying empty and has been actively marketing the sale of its surplus properties.

"It is pleasing that these three former council properties have been sold and will now be brought back into use.

"The funds raised will now be used for other council services which will benefit our residents. A number of properties are under offer and others remain for sale.”