Developers have claimed proposals to expand a busy Inverness shopping park will create about 140 new jobs.
A planning application has been lodged to revamp the southern end of the Inshes Retail Park.
The scheme includes the demolition of the disused Blockbuster Video store and also the Harry Ramsden’s chip shop.
In their place, a drive-through restaurant and two large shops would be built.
Corran Properties Ltd, which has submitted the application on behalf of the landowners, said that more than 140 retails jobs would be created, along with scores of construction jobs.
It is hoped that building work could start in the summer, with completion by early 2016.
Nick Ball, of Corran Properties, said he could not confirm which companies were in line to take over the unit.
He said “Despite difficult economic conditions over recent years, Inshes Retail Park has steadily improved with the recent openings of Dunelm, Hobbycraft, Aldi and Dobbies.
“This final phase will complete the park, bringing complementary retailers who will further improve the choice and competition on offer to customers, and, importantly, offer additional employment opportunities to the local area.
“We forecast that approximately 140 new jobs will be created by these retailers coming to the park.”
The application is in the name of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership but the fund has recently changed its name to Aberdeen Property Trust, after it was bought by Aberdeen Asset Management.
The site has been largely undeveloped since the park was established.
The most recent development on the site was a new unit to accommodate Dunelm Mill and the two proposed retail units will use the same materials.
According to planning documents, permission already exists for an extension, however the shops in the new proposal would be smaller in size.
These are the second proposals for further retail space in the Inshes area.
The same developer lodged plans for a separate piece of ground at Dell of Inshes last year.
They included 50,000sq ft of shop space, a family pub and restaurant, and 13 community allotments.
The plans are expected to go before councillors in the new year.