Support For Fort William Waterfront
Members of The Highland Council’s Lochaber Area Committee have voiced their support for the selection of Fort William Waterfront Ltd as the preferred developer in the acquisition of The Highland Council's interests at the Waterfront, Fort William.
The Council’s Resources Committee last week confirmed the recommendation of the Lochaber Area Committee that the local consortium be selected to progress their plans for the development of the 7 hectare Waterfront area. Robertson Property Ltd has been selected as the reserve developer.
Councillor Brian Murphy, local member, said: “We have been involved in a long process and I believe that the Fort William Waterfront Limited proposal is the best way forward for the town and will help to revive the High Street. I am pleased that the recommendation from the Area Committee was supported by the Resources Committee. We recommended that the proposal is taken forward with further detailed negotiation, which must include clarification and specification of quality and design, and also on phasing of the works. The Resources Committee emphasised that delivery of the project must be tied together through a high quality, detailed, legal agreement.”
Councillor Neil Clark, Chairman of the Fort William Steering Group that had set the requirements of the Development Brief, said: “We felt that the proposal from Fort William Waterfront Ltd was the closest to the Brief, gave the best integration with the High Street, addressed the need for more retail and a town centre supermarket, and also starts to address our chronic shortage of housing, including a large number of affordable units.”
Councillor Olwyn Macdonald, Convener of The Highland Council’s Lochaber Area Committee said: “The proposal from Fort William Waterfront Ltd starts to satisfy our requirements and also gives a new civic square, library and auditorium, a walkway around the development, and an attractive lochan area in front of the Old Fort, things that we are keen to see. Finalising the details of the scheme will be something for the next Council to deal with. I understand that there are also proposals for the Tweeddale and MacTavish’s sites, which is good. I don’t see that these are competing ideas. I welcome others to work with this developer or bring forward ideas for their own sites.”
Councillor Drew McFarlane-Slack, Chairman of the Lochaber Area Planning Committee added: “The Development Brief has finally unlocked this key strategic development opportunity for the Highlands in Fort William. I was both delighted and relieved at the high standard of tender returns and particularly pleased that The Highland Council has chosen the Fort William Waterfront Ltd submission. It makes best use of the site and offers excellent opportunities to integrate with other exciting development prospects both in the town and beyond. The expansion of Fort William’s retail space and housing portfolio and vital for Lochaber’s growth and the health of the Highlands and Islands.”
The Waterfront is a development extending to 7 hectares, including 6 hectares of Council-owned foreshore at Loch Linnhe - between the pier and the A82 trunk road at the Old Fort, 1,800 sqm of offices currently leased to the Council in the centre of the town at Tweeddale House and Lochaber House, and the Middle Street Car Park. Research and market interests indicate potential for a supermarket, a modern hotel, with conference facilities, shop units, offices and houses at the Waterfront.