A former craft centre at a prominent site in Fort William could be demolished and turned into new council flats.
Plans for the development could be approved by councillors next week.
The project would involve the demolition of the closed Scottish Whisky and Craft Centre at the western end of Fort William High Street.
It will be replaced with 12 self-contained Highland Council flats.
The council bought the former crafts centre which has lain empty for some time.
The authority believes the development will help tackle the shortage of affordable housing in the Lochaber town.
The flats have been designed to echo the shape of waves and will be clad in aluminium.
The new build will be set back from the High Street and are closer to the town centre bypass than the existing building.
Associated car parking will also be included as part of the development.
Only one representation was received about the plans, raising concerns about the potential impact on the adjacent and linked Free Church of Scotland building, which is grade B-listed.
Minister Gordon Mair sought assurances from the council about damage caused to the church as a result of the demolition process.
The new buildings will not be joined onto the church and the council has said that the building will be re-rendered at no cost to the church.
Mr Mair also raised concerns about the impact of the revised parking in the area.
The council’s planning department have recommended councillors the scheme permission when it is put before them next week.
In her report planning officer Susan Macmillan said: “The proposed building is modern in design and finish and will have a striking appearance, particularly from the bypass, where the building is at its highest.
“The mass of the building has been reduced by splitting it into three narrower components.
“From the High Street frontage the building, although modern in appearance, draws from the traditional, keeping a rectangular, reasonably simple street frontage.
“The building is set back from the pavement and is detached from the adjacent church, will open up the streetscape and provide views through the buildings towards the loch (Linnhe).”
