Revived plans for major new housing and leisure development in a Ross-shire town have been backed by councillors – but developers have been urged to start work soon.
The massive new complex on farmland off Knockbreck Road in Tain would potentially include up to 250 homes, a hotel and restaurant, leisure and office space.
Councillors previously gave their support to the development in 2013 – but work never started on site.
The plans are the brainchild of local developer BKB Property.
Planning consultants GH Johnston said the global recession had an effect before the plans were originally granted and, although there were signs of recovery, the downturn in the oil industry took its toll.
But yesterday members of the north area planning committee agreed to refresh this planning consent in principle for the new development, opposite the town’s Asda supermarket.
Yesterday Tain and Easter Ross councillor Alasdair Rhind put forward a motion to approve the plans with a condition attached that the renewal remains valid only for three years, not the suggested five years.
He added: “I am very content with the application. It’s interesting to hear from the planning officer that this application was shaping the wider Tain development plan, but I would say it’s curtailing it because this was granted three years ago and nothing has happened.
“I really want the applicant to get out and start developing this land and I think three years is enough.”
Earlier in the meeting, councillors also unanimously approved plans from Pat Munro Alness Ltd for a new business park and industrial estate to the south west of the town. This will serve as extension to existing business and industrial parks in the area.