Tobermory Campus Project - Fast Facts

Decision to Pause works

The Council remains committed to building a new high-quality campus on Mull

• On 10th June 2025 a petition on behalf of Mull Campus Working Group ltd was served on Argyll and Bute Council seeking a judicial review (JR) of the Council decision on 7th March 2025 in respect of the preferred site for the Mull Campus Project. Argyll and Bute Council are contesting the judicial review, and a hearing is due to take place on 13th October with a final outcome expected by the end of the year.
• To avoid any potential risk of wasting public funding, by carrying out works that could be ruled out by a judicial review, Argyll and Bute Councillors have endorsed plans to temporarily pause all project work until an outcome is reached.
• Construction inflation is running at approximately 3.5% per annum and between 0.5% and 0.7% a quarter. On a £40million capital investment this equates to £100,000 to £120,000 for every month of delay (source Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) February 2025)

Site Selection

• Feedback received from the 3-week period of Community Engagement in September and October 2024 was used to inform the selection criteria used to assess shortlisted sites and provided the basis for the Integrated Impact Assessments carried out to inform the Council’s decision on 7th March 2025
• Land purchase is just one small element of the total project cost, accounting for 1- 1.5% of the overall budget
• The preferred site, Tobermory South, can accommodate the full footprint and external space required for the campus including expansion room and a 7-aside pitch (larger than the existing pitch)

Education Benefits

• The design of the new campus would deliver significant educational benefits, as well as promote accessible and inclusive learning to meet the needs of all learners including those with Additional Support Needs. It will be designed to be an inspiring learning environment which is fully able to support new and innovative digital learning, provide an improved outdoor learning environment and engage pupils with the curriculum.
• The new building will also provide excellent facilities for use outwith school hours that could be used to help meet the learning, leisure and social needs of the children and young people and the community

Catchment Area

• As of March 2025, 84% of secondary aged children on Mull are within the existing Tobermory High School catchment
• As of March 2025, 30% of primary and 40% of secondary age children walk to the current Tobermory 2-18 campus. If a central site was chosen, this would reduce to less than a handful
• 4 additional buses would be required to transport children to a central site, at an estimated additional cost of £222k per annum
• A central site would treble the total vehicle miles and carbon emissions compared to a Tobermory location

Economic Benefit

• An economic assessment has been carried out and a campus in Tobermory is forecast to deliver £3.1m greater economic benefit to Mull in comparison to a central location