THE Wee County's biggest infrastructure project has hit a delay.

Clackmannanshire Council's planning authority has requested more information about the Wellbeing Hub and Lochies School project, which means the application will not be ready for the next planning committee meeting in October as planned. 

“The planning application has now been submitted to the planning authority. Unfortunately, but not entirely unusual for a project of this scale, the planning authority has asked for further information to make a decision,” spokesperson for sports, leisure and active living, Scott Harrison (SNP for Clackmannanshire East) said. 

“This has meant that they weren’t in a position to do so at the next planning meeting.” 

If and when it’s completed, the £77.5 million dual facility will combine a community health and leisure centre with a new Lochies School at the  Pavilions site in Alloa West.

The wellbeing hub would restore swimming pools to Clackmannanshire – something that has been missing since the Alloa Leisure Bowl closed four years ago. It would also contain sport and leisure facilities for the entire community. 

Meanwhile, the new school would provide additional capacity and it would be specifically designed to meet the needs of children and young people with severe and complex needs.

So far, the Wee County’s biggest infrastructure project has been on time, but now the plans are on hold while developers work to gather the reports and information requested by the planning authority. 

“We’re in discussions about alternative timelines with a view to schedule a special planning committee outside the regular timetable [and before the next scheduled meeting in January],” sport & leisure officers told the council. 

Cllr Harrison said he’s sure that work is ongoing to get the relevant information submitted to planners. 

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get this presented at a special meeting in the near future. I’m also happy to see that even though there’s a delay in the project, the team are looking to mitigate impact and ensure overall timescales can be met,” he said. 

A further update on project will be brought forward to Council in November.