Fort William Waterfront
The Highland Council has built in two significant control mechanisms to ensure that the proposed Fort William Waterfront development meets the aspirations of the local community.
A packed public meeting at Lochaber House, Fort William, was told that the preferred bidder, Fort William Waterfront Ltd, must carry out 18 months of preparation before they will be in a position to tender a planning application.
This will include widespread public consultation and the commissioning of studies on traffic impact, retail impact, environmental impact, flooding, archaeology, and contamination.
The Council had also built into the proposed missives for the l75-year lease of the waterfront development conditions that put the Council in control of what is developed.
And the final say will lie with the Scottish Government, because of the Council’s interest in owning much of the land involved in the proposed development.
Council Convener Sandy Park, who chaired the public meeting, said: “The public can be assured that the mechanisms are in place to ensure that we get a masterplan for the waterfront that befits this magnificent setting and meets the ambitions of the council and the local community.
“The attendance at the public meeting demonstrates the community’s interest in this development and over the next 18 months they will be given the opportunity to make their views known as the developer’s plans emerge. The message that they wish to see a marina facility developed as an integral part of the waterfront plan came across loud and clear
“The waterfront is a major strategic development for Lochaber and for the Highlands as a whole. It is essential that the developer works with the council and the community to deliver this important project for Lochaber, so that the long-held aspirations can become a reality.”
The Convener noted that the developer had reported that they must spend £1 million on preparatory work before their planning permission is even considered.
He added: “This is a significant commitment, especially in these times of recession, and I am sure the developer will take on board comments from the council and the community in finalising their masterplan.”
In a separate move, the Council is to commission consultants to carry out a study of the waterfront – from the West End to the River Lochy - and this, said the Convener, would complement the work being carried out by Fort William Waterfront Ltd to ensure an integrated future development of the area.
The public meeting heard that the development will include major reclamation work and a realignment of the A 82 as well as construction of a supermarket (60,000 sq ft), petrol filling station, retail space (38,000 sq ft), office accommodation (19,800 sq ft), public library, a civic square, a 100-110-bed hotel, underground car park (900 spaces), as well as 261 private houses and 87 affordable houses. It is also proposed to upgrade the pier and build a promenade around the development.
The meeting heard that outline planning permission was expected to be applied for by October 2010, with the first phase of the development completed by 2014.