Plans for a new retail park in Inverness have been given a boost after Highland Council withdrew its objection.
The proposed development at Dell of Inshes, which was first lodged in 2013, would involve building new shopping space on ground between the existing Tesco and the A9.
The park would include one large shop and eight smaller units, as well as land to the east of the existing Inshes Retail Park.
The local authority had raised concerns about a lack of traffic mitigation measures in the scheme, but that has now been dropped.
The council and developers must now await the findings of a Scottish Government-appointed reporter, who heard the arguments from both sides at an inquiry earlier this month.
The objection from the local authority was dropped on condition that a traffic light controlled access is installed on Culloden Road.
The appellant, Corran Properties, has confirmed that Tesco – an objector and party to the appeal – had, after discussions, reached agreement allowing their objection to be withdrawn.
It allowed the council to withdraw its objection on the basis that the requirements of the development brief will be met.
All parties involved in the inquiry are currently preparing final, written, submissions.
If the appellant and the council are unable to agree the wording of the planning conditions, it would be open to the reporter Robert Maslin to reopen the inquiry.
Corran Properties’ plans for 50,000sq ft of shops were rejected by the council earlier this year amid concerns about a lack of road improvements and worse congestion.
Council planning officer Nicola Drummond had pointed to significant changes being required to the Culloden Road bridge over the A9.
A number of local residents had objected to the proposed development citing the loss of green space as well as the influx of additional traffic.
Applicant Corran Properties is also behind the ongoing refurbishment of Inshes Retail Park, including the new drive-through McDonalds.
The Dell of Inshes proposal is for planning in principle, rather than a full planning application.
It means that a full application would need to be made if the site was to be built on.
