Plans to build student accommodation on the site of a former primary school in Fort William are poised to be approved despite concerns raised by the local community.
The proposal by Cityheart Ltd is for a three storey building for 40 students attending West Highland College UHI to be built in the grounds of the old St Mary’s RC Primary in Fassifern Road.
This would be the second phase of student accommodation by the Chester-based company built in the town, as similar flats were completed at An Aird last year.
But local residents have raised several issues including road safety concerns, insufficient parking spaces at the proposed development as well as the height of the building itself.
The 40 single rooms in the accommodation building would have shared kitchen and living spaces with level access to all areas.
Two of the rooms would be fully accessible and a single storey service building is also planned for the site.
The south-western gable of the main accommodation block has been angled slightly to reduce the impact on nearby houses and it is intended to position both buildings parallel with Fassifern Road.
Parking for eight cars and 40 bicycles is proposed at the rear of the buildings with two motorcycle spaces and additional visitor cycle parking between them.
Councillors will hear a report on the proposal at a meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday.
Officers have recommended that the application is granted, but subject to conditions, including a scheme to improve nearby pedestrian crossing points and submission of a traffic management plan.