Plans for a new hotel close to the terminal building at the north’s busiest airport could be close to fruition after years of trying to get the project off the ground.
Bosses behind a proposed business park close to Inverness Airport say they have made “encouraging” progress with developing the 120-bed stopover close to the front door of the terminal.
Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) have been marketing the development in recent months and have been in talks with several possible tenants for the project.
Business development manager Rory Black said that they should be in a position to make more concrete plans “soon” – adding that it should be “within a few months, we’re certainly not talking years”.
The move comes just days after the Press and Journal revealed a row between private flyers and the airport over a so-called “airspace grab” to control the skies above the busy terminal.
And in April, developers “fired the starting gun” on plans for a railway station at the airport.
In the latest development, the park already have planning permission in principle for the construction of a hotel on the site, which sits about 650ft from the entrance to the terminal.
IABP are currently in talks to find a hotel company to develop the site with and would then have to submit a detailed planning application for the project.
Mr Black said he felt a new hotel at the airport would be good for the airport and the wider area – as well as helping with the development of the business park.
He said: “It would be huge step forward and a real boost for the wider area as well.
“I believe it would also be a huge help to the airport as well with their ongoing development and as they grow in profile.”
The hotel would be a low level two-storey development due to its proximity to the airport’s runway.
Mr Black said that there had been interest in the site shown by national hotel chains.
He added: “We certainly feel that we have a strong case because of the high performance of the airport.
“The response has been very encouraging and we’re hoping to have something finalised soon.”
Plans for IABP have been gestating for several years as an idea for developing 620 acres close to the airport as new business space as well as the hotel.
The business park is a joint venture including Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd, Moray Estates as well as Highlands and Islands Enterprise with support from Highland Council.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce said there was a “pressing need for hotel accommodation in Inverness” and welcomed any progress at IABP.
He said: “I think it would be a very significant development for them.
“It would be a key milestone in the project and I believe it would act as a catalyst to get a lot more development coming in there off the back of it.
“It would also significantly enhance the offering at Inverness Airport so it would be a very welcome development.”
The business park was also raised at Highland Council yesterday, as councillors considered a report on a £1.175million loan made by the authority to the business park.
The loan was made in 2005 and will now not be repaid until 2033 at the earliest as the repayment is dependent on commercial conditions.
Councillor Bill Lobban said: “Let’s be honest the chances of this being repaid is remote in the extreme and it really doesn’t matter to be honest.”
However, Inverness provost Councillor Helen Carmichael was more positive.
She said said: This will be repaid without a doubt.
“The airport is growing, Highland tourism is up. That park there as it will be eventually will be occupied.”
