Consultants showing off plans for a large area of land in a north town were “delighted” when more than 100 people turned out to see what was on offer.
Plans are now being shared with the community for potential uses of the land which overlooks Loch Linnhe, and includes housing and recreational potential.
Consultants are looking at developing the site to include two storey buildings made up from semi detached houses and upper and lower flats.
The site is at the southern-most stretch of Fort William, bounded by existing housing, it is downhill to the west and the rising slopes of cow hill in the east.
Marie Claire Rafferty from Link Group, who are working in partnership with Lochaber Housing to realise the project, said: “We are delighted with the turn out of people to our event to discuss the land.
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“What you won’t see here are lots of actual plans of the buildings and designs, because we are at the pre-application stage at the moment, and we wanted to speak to people.
“People have been discussing issues such as drainage and the transport into the site. While transport to and from the new housing is not a matter for us we will pass it onto the planners when we make our application.”
Mrs Rafferty explained that the project was on land that was owned by Lochaber Housing Association, but that Link Group were the developers of the property. She said it was hoped to submit plans to the council in early 2019.
The landlord of the properties when they are built on the site would be Lochaber Housing Association.
Welcoming the consultation, Lochaber Area chairman Andrew Baxter said: “Whatever happens with this site we have to maintain some recreational areas.
“I know many residents are interested in the consultation and will be making their feelings known.”
Highland Council are also planning housing in the same area, a spokeswoman said: “Upper Achintore Primary School is currently being demolished, with the demolition expected to be complete during December 2018.
“There is a design team in place for the proposed future housing development on the site. Highland Council is hoping to submit a planning application late November/early December for approximately 38 new housing units which will be mixed tenure.
“Subject to planning we would hope to start on site during May 2019.”