A parliamentary petition has been launched calling on the Scottish Government to ditch its plans to centralise the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board.
Ministers have been under pressure to reverse the controversial decision, with a majority of MSPs voting against the change.
But fears have been raised since the vote that the government may press ahead with the decision regardless.
Now, former Highlands and Islands MSP Maureen Macmillan has brought forward a petition calling for the decision to centralise the board to be reversed.
The document will be presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.
The Scottish Government has insisted HIE will continue to be locally managed and based.
But Ms Macmillan said: “To amalgamate this board into an overarching governing body for more than one agency and move it south to the central belt, is a retrograde step and in my view contrary to the whole concept of HIE in the first place.”
Scottish Labour Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant added: “This is a welcome development by our former parliamentary colleague.
“She is well aware of the positive effect that HIE has had on the area and fears that centralisation of its board will have a hugely detrimental effect on our communities.”
The Scottish Government has provoked fury by confirming the dedicated board for HIE would be scrapped and replaced by a national panel overseeing several organisations.
In phase one of the review, published in October, the Scottish Government announced it would create a new nationwide board to co-ordinate the actions of the agencies, including HIE and Scottish Enterprise.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said he was “proud” of the work of the agencies but insisted they needed reform to ensure they worked “hand in glove” with each other to boost economic output.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Highlands and Islands Enterprise will continue to be locally-based, managed and directed providing dedicated support to the local economy.
“The new arrangements will protect the unique service that HIE delivers for our Highland and Island economies and will enhance the support that is available to businesses, employers and employees across the region.
“The enterprise and skills review we are undertaking is aimed at giving businesses and individuals in the Highlands and Islands additional access and support from national services as part of a more coherent system. We remain committed to the services and support that HIE provides and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy Keith Brown is engaging with MSPs from across the chamber in order to discuss the way forward.
“We will take these views into account – alongside the recommendations of HIE chair Professor Lorne Crerar in his review – as we continue to work towards delivering better economic and social outcomes for all of Scotland.”