Work on a long-awaited retail park in the outskirts of Fort William has been delayed by the discovery of underground fibre-optic cables.
Developer Morbaine has confirmed that they will have to resubmit their planning application for the North Road site because of revisions required after the discovery.
The £10million project was granted permission last year by councillors, with a Marks & Spencer Simply Food store and an Aldi supermarket lined up to move in.
The underground BT chamber containing the cables was discovered under where the developer had planned to build a roundabout giving access to the park.
BT has said that access needs to be maintained to the chamber – so the roundabout needs to be moved by about 32ft, altering the boundary of the site and meaning the developer needs to submit a new planning application.
Tendering for the construction of the park is due to be completed by the end of this month – and Morbaine plan to continue this while simultaneously applying to the council for planning permission.
It had previously been hoped that the park would be open by Christmas this year – but it will now be pushed back at least into early 2017.
Morbaine director, Alex Brodie said the problem was “unforseeable” before detailed discussions with Transport Scotland on site.
He said: “It is very unfortunate that the discovery of the BT equipment will require a further planning application and a short delay to construction beginning on the site.
“We hope to submit the application by the end of the week but have already been in discussions with council officers and hope it will be dealt with quickly to minimise the delays.”
Morbaine has said that the site would create about 180 construction jobs – and could also support about 150 jobs once it has opened.
The Cheshire-based company has been trying to build on the site next to the A82 since 2006 – but the plans have constantly run into difficulty over concerns it could damage Fort William town centre.
Councillors finally gave permission in June last year – against the advice of planning officials – after Lochaber councillors united in support for the project.
Mr Brodie added: “It has been a very lengthy and complicated process over the years but we remain fully committed to the retail park at North Road and we will be pressing ahead with the tendering process whilst the new planning application is being considered and look forward to bringing these new jobs and retail options to the area.”