Argyll and Bute Council has secured funding from the Scottish Government Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), which will be used to develop a new school campus on Mull.

The proposed project to deliver new learning estate on Mull was subject to a competitive bidding process in late 2022 and confirmation that the Council's sole bid was one of only 10 successful projects across Scotland to share £450-500 million.

Welcoming the announcement, Council Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: "This is excellent news that we have all been hoping for. It is one of the biggest investments in Community Infrastructure on the island in many years and has potential to transform futures and economic potential. Mull is the highest priority in our Learning Estate Strategy and now we can move forward with our plans to provide generations of children and young people to come with a state-of-the-art facility that will enable them to reach their full potential. I would like to thank the local community for working in close partnership with us throughout this process.

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"It is important to stress, however, that the LEIP funding from the Scottish Government will only part-fund the project to less than half of the total value of approximately £35.5m total and the council will have to make a major financial contribution to the overall cost, but exciting times lie ahead and I am delighted that by working together we can create a better future for the young people involved."

There is much work still to be done including a review of costs and programme, a preferred site requires to be selected and secured and further engagement with the communities and group. The council will be in touch with the stakeholders involved as soon as it has more information about the next steps.