Moray Council has appointed a team of independent experts to investigate a £6.5million offer to develop part of Forres.
The local authority will seek the advice of Culverwell Property Consultants over whether to accept a controversial proposal to build a retail park on land at Bogton.
Aberdeen-based Redco Milne’s vision for a £25million retail centre has attracted fierce opposition from some sections of the town.
The developer is prepared to give Moray Council £6.5million for a 35-year lease on the Bogton Road site, part of which is community-owned “common good” land.
Culverwell, which is based in Edinburgh, is expected to submit a report to the local authority by the end of the year.
Last night, Stuart Noble, vice-chairman of Forres Community Council, questioned the need for the issue to drag on any further.
He said: “The people of Forres have already been asked whether they want this development in 2011 and 70% said they didn’t.
“We now hope this matter is going to be dealt with once and for all. At the moment, there are people living in the Bogton area who can’t sell their homes, there are tradesmen on the High Street who can’t plan for the future.”
Redco Milne recently demolished the former Tesco building on Gordon Street, which had been derelict for more than a decade.
The firm purchased the land – included in the site of its planned retail park – after the store’s closure. The building’s continuing state of disrepair had long been a bone of contention in the town.
Forres Community Council will meet at the Tollbooth at 7.30pm tonight when the matter will be one of several items under discussion.