A new £10million retail park has been approved for Fort William – bringing a Marks and Spencer food store to the town for the first time.
Highland Council’s south area planning committee yesterday approved the proposed complex, which will include a M&S Simply Food, Aldi and Home Bargains.
Nearly 200 construction jobs and 150 long-term jobs will be created.
The proposals were put forward by Morbaine Ltd, who last night said they were delighted they could now move forward.
Director Alex Brodie said: “I’m delighted that the council decided to approve our planning application.
“Once again, I have to thank the local people and councillors for their continued patience and support over what has been a long process.
“Whilst this application has been considered, we’ve been continuing our construction tendering process which has helped limit the delay.”
He said he was optimistic of construction beginning in the summer and the retail park opening in mid-2017.
“It would bring significant economic benefits and increased retail options to local people,” Mr Brodie added.
The company was instructed in January to resubmit its application because of revisions required after the discovery of underground fibre-optic cabling at the five-acre site in the town’s North Road. The cables were beneath a planned A82 roundabout access.
BT had to maintain access to its equipment which meant the junction had to be moved, altering the boundary of the site.