Bulldozers in by the Spring

IT'S coming down! The much vandalised former Hermitage Academy building will be no more by the spring.

And news of the demolition received a qualified welcome from campaigners who were happy about the plan but worried about a delay in building new houses on the site.

Argyll and Bute Council has finally reached an agreement with the developer John Dickie Homes which commits the company to starting demolition on or before March 1.

Plans progressed at a meeting last Thursday, at which councillors agreed the terms of the deal, and Argyll and Bute Council's Executive agreed to the details of the Option to Purchase (OtP) agreement.

Once this has been concluded and a contract to purchase completed, the developer - John Dickie (Homes) Ltd - is under obligation to start the demolition of the school building within six weeks or by March 1, whichever is sooner. They will also assume responsibility for the security of the site.

It comes as a relief after four years of deliberation over the land, which is due to be formally handed over in October 2010.

The next rung on the ladder, however, will be the authority making moves to conclude the Option and then the sale contract itself.

Despite Argyll and Bute Council originally entering into an OtP agreement with the developer in June 2005, various issues arose which had to be addressed between the parties.

This meant that the process was delayed and a new OtP was drawn up in 2008.

However the council last week confirmed that all outstanding issues have since been resolved with the former OtP and they are now keen to move the sale on as quickly as possible.

Chairman of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, Councillor George Freeman, welcomed the news that the title will formally pass onto John Dickie (Homes) Ltd on October 29, 2010.

He said: "This has been a long process, but I'm delighted that we are now reaching a satisfactory conclusion. The building has been empty for almost two years since the pupils transferred to the new Hermitage Academy.

"This is a very significant site in the town, and the residents of Helensburgh and the surrounding area have rightly been concerned about its future.

"I am sure that everyone will be pleased to hear that the work to demolish the old building is imminent, and that the plans to develop the site are ready to put into action. We all look forward to the realisation of John Dickie (Homes) Ltd's proposals."

Ian Fraser, who lives in Guy Mannering Road and who fronted the North Colgrain Residents Association before being elected to the Community Council, also praised the decision taken by councillors.

He said: "It's a welcome development in knocking the school down and I am sure everyone in the town will be glad of the progress. But there's still no sight on the horizon of when the building of the new development is to begin, so although they may be committed to demolishing the school, I hope we are not left with a wasteland and that they leave the ground in a decent condition. We have been waiting for a year and a half, however, so any progress is good news."