A major £71m community campus project in north-east Scotland has encountered significant delays following the withdrawal of the main contractor.
- Robertson Construction, a key contractor for the Peterhead Community Campus, has pulled out, causing an 18-month delay.
- Supply chain issues and market volatility have been cited as primary reasons for the project’s setbacks.
- Aberdeenshire Council remains committed to the project, aiming to build a new community campus despite the challenges.
- The initiative is part of a £1bn investment programme by the Scottish government aimed at transforming educational infrastructure.
A promising development in north-east Scotland, the £71m Peterhead Community Campus, has faced an unexpected setback. Robertson Construction, a family-run contractor, has made the strategic decision to withdraw from the project. Initially appointed by Aberdeenshire Council as the preferred bidder, Robertson’s departure has postponed the anticipated completion date from 2025 to the summer of 2026 at the earliest, with potential further delays extending completion to January 2028.
The project, which aims to unify four existing schools into a single state-of-the-art site, stands as a pivotal element of the Scottish government’s £1bn schools investment programme introduced in 2019. Unfortunately, the initiative has been hindered by persistent supply chain disruptions and fluctuating market conditions, presenting significant hurdles to timely progress.
Robertson Construction expressed that despite a prolonged phase of ‘collaborative value engineering’, it had to make the ‘difficult decision’ to exit the venture. A spokesperson highlighted the importance of adhering to criteria that ensure success for their clients, the company itself, and its supply chain partners, which were unachievable under the current circumstances.
Despite the setback, Aberdeenshire Council maintains its dedication to establishing a new community campus at Peterhead, albeit with the necessity to explore alternative approaches to advance the undertaking. It remains open to dialogue with the construction sector to assess the likely financial and temporal implications of proceeding with the project under these new conditions.
The council’s spokesperson reaffirmed, ‘Aberdeenshire Council remains committed to building a new community campus for Peterhead’. The local authority’s approach shows a resilience to adapt and continue pursuit of its educational infrastructure goals, crucial for the community’s future.
The Peterhead Community Campus remains a key educational priority, despite facing significant challenges and contractor withdrawal.
