A multimillion-pound plan to develop an Inverness suburb could bring up to 100 jobs to the city, it was revealed yesterday.
The major new development in a field at Dell of Inshes next to Inshes Retail Park would include 50,000sq ft of shop space, a family pub and restaurant and 13 community allotments.
Edinburgh-based developers Corran Properties Ltd has submitted a planning application to Highland Council on behalf of the landowner, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Property Trust.
They said yesterday that if the development got the go-ahead, it would bring between 80 and 100 jobs to the area, with additional construction jobs.
The retail park has seen a flurry of activity recently with the opening of a new Dobbies Garden Centre, Tesco restaurant and an Aldi supermarket under construction. The 12-acre site for the development is adjacent to the access road to the retail park.
Plans for a care home were dropped following community consultation.
Inverness South Community Council chairman Richard Crawford backed the plans and said they would complete the area.
He added: “The whole area is coming together to be a nice, exciting area.
“Its making this part of town a much more busy hub which will attract people to the area. It is improving the diversity of retail options here. The mix of ideas in this application is pleasing to see and our community council is fully backing it.”
He said he believed the plans could involve a supermarket such as M&S Food, Sainsbury’s or Waitrose, as well as other shops and he hoped to see local people expand their businesses into the park.
He added: “I’m hoping it doesn’t take anything away from the city centre. I would hope this development would help contribute to the city as a whole.”
Stuart Seaton of Corran Properties said: “The response to our proposals has been greatly encouraging.
“It is clear that the benefits of our plans, including job opportunities and creating additional community facilities, have been recognised. We are confident that our plans come at an appropriate time, sit comfortably within council policy and can help deliver improvements to road infrastructure.”
The firm also has planning permission for a 74,000sq ft extension to the park.