A Highland community is hoping for a decision to be made soon on a new road route so that they can scrutinise plans for a £10million upmarket hotel and shopping complex.
Braemore Estates wants to develop the site at Juniper Village, near Tomatin, but plans for the development still hinge on the route being picked as part of the A9 dualling project.
Currently the site is characterised by a mound of earth at the end of the village.
It is hoped that the proposed scheme – to include a hotel, fish and chip restaurant and shops – will open within three years and draw trade from tourists using the main route north, as well as local residents.
The development, which would be anchored by a large hotel, is expected to create dozens of local jobs.
Braemore Estates owner William Frame is in talks with an emerging hotel brand down in England, but company bosses still need to be persuaded about the benefits of investing in Scotland.
The company had previously won consent for a similar project back in 2008 but it was put on hold amid the economic downturn – and last summer the plans were resurrected.
Yesterday Mr Frame said that he expects Transport Scotland’s decision to be “imminent,” adding: “We are still waiting to hear from Transport Scotland on the line of the road. We should have heard from them at the turn of the year.
“Once we know the line of the road we can really push it hard. We have had indications of the route from what was shown at public consultations and I am happy with the options, but only once we know for sure can we then push ahead with confidence.”
And last night Strathdearn Community Council chairwoman Vivian Roden said: “We would be interested in what his plans are when they eventually decide on the route.
“I think they (Transport Scotland) are coming back for a final consultation at some point in the summer.
“There has been a little bit of cynicism creeping in as it’s just a mound of earth at the end of the village. The site is blighted until they know the exact route of the new section of road.
“We were in favour of the plans before but I don’t think it will be exactly the same and we will need to look at it in detail. We are eager to see the plans. The community are awaiting to hear from Transport Scotland with interest.”
Mr Frame is considering opening a drive-through branch of his award-winning fish and chips restaurant, Cromars, based in St Andrews in Fife.
It is anticipated that shops on the site will stock Scottish produce, with space also provided for local artists, silversmiths, sculptors and textile manufacturers.
Community leaders and local politicians broadly welcomed the plans when they were announced last July.