Councillors have delayed a decision over the fate of a former primary school in Oban.
Argyll and Bute Council is selling Rockfield School in the town centre.
The building has lain empty since the school relocated to the new joint primary campus on Soroba Road seven years ago.
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) had proposed to buy the building for £1, knock it down and spend £5million building affordable homes.
But Oban Communities Trust has argued that the site is in a perfect location for a community hub and cultural centre, and that the building itself, as a piece of Oban’s history, should be saved.
The council’s Oban Lorn and the Isles area committee was due to consider a number of offers it received for the school on Thursday. The item was heard in private when the committee met on the isle of Tiree.
Speaking following the meeting, committee chairman, Councillor Alistair MacDougall, said: “We want to secure the best possible outcome for the community and feel that, in the long run, it is better to take a little more time to do that. This will give us the opportunity to consider the detail provided by officers and the interest shown by the local community recently.
“It is only fair and appropriate to contact everyone who made an offer to let them know about this decision. Given the importance that local people place on this, we will provide more information as soon as we can.”
The issue will now be discussed at a meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee in the Corran Halls, Oban on Wednesday September 10.”
Gordon McNab, of Oban Communities Trust, said: “They have continued it to the September area committee and asked for more details about the community bid.
“Once we know what further information they require, we will provide this for them.”