The Plan is part of the council’s commitment to deliver over £2 billion investment across Highland over the next 20 years by allocating 2% of Council Tax revenue annually to fund improvements in local service points, schools and roads.

The multi-million-pound development for Dingwall will bring together a new St Clement’s Special School and a new Dingwall Primary School onto one site, whilst ensuring each will retain their individual identity with their own name, staff, management, entrance and facilities.

Construction is planned to commence in early 2027, with the new buildings becoming operational at the end of 2028/2029.

A statutory consultation for the proposal to move St Clement’s to a new site ran from 9 June 2025 to 30 October 2025, involving parents, pupils, and staff at both schools. A public meeting was also held at St Clement’s in July.

In a report from Education Scotland, His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education concluded a new St Clement’s school was needed, adding purpose-built classrooms and flexible teaching spaces would provide significantly improved facilities to support learners, who have complex additional support needs.

Inspectors said co-location could bring educational benefits by improving access to specialist support and a mainstream setting to support the learning needs of individual children. It may also increase opportunities for pupils to participate in a wider curriculum.

Chair of Highland Council’s Housing and Property Committee, Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The investment in St Clement’s forms part of a larger £50 million place-based masterplan for Dingwall, which will bring together educational provision with community and partnership spaces. It shows our commitment to the Highland Investment Plan, with place plans now underway for other parts of Highland alongside this exciting development for Dingwall.”

Chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Committee, Councillor Graham MacKenzie, who represents the Dingwall and Seaforth ward, added: “The current St Clement’s school building is in poor condition, and locating two new schools together on the same site will offer significant educational benefits, including better accessibility, flexible learning spaces, and opportunities to enhance the curriculum and inclusion. We will continue to engage with parents, pupils, and staff in the design process to ensure it meets the needs of all learners.”

Hub North Scotland has been appointed to deliver seven of the capital projects in phase one of the Highland Investment Plan, including the Dingwall Community PoD. Engagement with public service partners to explore opportunities for co-location and alignment of services in a community and partnership space at the Community PoD continues.