A Catholic Canon has raised concerns about St Mary’s involvement in the new Largs Academy proposal in the greenbelt site behind Alexander Avenue.

Following the presentation of the report by Head of Service Development (Education and Skills) Steven Quinn at the North Ayrshire Cabinet meeting last Wednesday, Canon Matthew McManus said: “I feel that we should leave St Mary’s Primary out of the equation. There might be difficult discussions that need to be had that could hold up the project - not insurmountable but difficult.

“Objections would be received if St Mary’s lost it’s identity.

“To hold it up would be a loss the community so we must find a way to see the project to fruition.” However, depute leader of North Ayrshire Council, Alan Hill told the ‘News’: “Canon McManus - as you would expect - has highlighted some concerns from within the church, but the negotiations which are ongoing.

Certainly, the feedback that I have received from council officers is that discussions have been positive. It is important to remember we are still at a very early stage in relation to the Academy proposal, and it not possible to see yet how that will pan out. The council will be continuing to engage discussions with staff with St Mary’s.” Roman Catholic schools have been fully funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate. As part of the arrangement that brought Roman Catholic schools within the State education system, there were specific legal provisions made to ensure the promotion of a Roman Catholic ethos in such schools: applicants for positions in the areas of Religious Education, Guidance or Senior Management must be approved by the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, which also appoints a chaplain to each of its schools.

The £30m super school proposal involves a link up with Inverclyde Sports Centre, with pre-consultation talks with interested parties taking place until September. It is hoped that a final model for the school will then be put forward, with construction for the development to be completed by 2018. All the Largs based primary schools have been approached regarding whether they want to move to the new development.

The unique and ambitious project is subject to the Scottish Futures Trust approving funds and to sportscotland securing additional finance for the redevelopment of the Inverclyde centre to establish it as a world class sporting facility.