Gatehouse Primary School is deemed as 'safe' after dangerous concrete was removed
The same material has also been cleared from Annan Swimming Pool, ending years of uncertainty for families and staff in Gatehouse of Fleet
A primary school in the Stewartry has finally been made safe after years of community concern.
Dangerous concrete known as RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) has now been completely taken out of Gatehouse Primary School, bringing to an end years of uncertainty for pupils, parents, and staff in Gatehouse of Fleet.
According to an update report, due to be presented at Stewartry area committee on Wednesday (May 20), Annan Swimming Pool has also been cleared of the material as part of the same remedial works programme.
The report states: “RAAC has now been fully removed from Gatehouse Primary School and Annan Swimming Pool, with works at Laurieknowe Primary School nearing completion.
“The contractor is currently on site at Carrutherstown Primary School.”
The completion of works at Gatehouse Primary comes as a relief to the local community, which endured years of disruption over the school’s safety.
Around 15 pupils were removed from class in the summer of 2024 and parents set up their own teaching hub in a nearby community centre due to concerns over the material in the roof.
At that time, council officials confirmed that mitigation measures had been completed and the school had been placed on a low risk rating — but full removal of the RAAC was not expected until early 2025.
The progress forms part of a wider programme of RAAC removal across the council estate. The report states that “following the completion of mitigation works and council approval for funding to remove RAAC from our properties, PEP has made significant progress over the past two years.”
Work is also pressing ahead at other affected buildings. Laurieknowe Primary School in Dumfries is described as nearing completion, while a contractor is currently on site at Carrutherstown Primary School. Dumfries Academy, the fifth building in the programme, will be “fully mitigated, with full removal to be delivered as part of the DL2 Strategic Project.”
RAAC is an inferior building material used widely in public buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1990s.
Some structural engineers have warned the material could eventually lead to roof collapses, though Dumfries and Galloway Council has consistently maintained there has been no suggestion of any immediate danger in any of its affected buildings.
The initial phase one remedial works across the council’s affected properties cost £920,000. Full removal of the material from the entire council estate was estimated at a further £7.6 million.