New homes and hospital planned for Fort William

A new hospital, up to 250 houses, a science academy, community and commercial buildings could be constructed in Fort William under new proposals submitted by Highland Council.The local authority is seeking planning permission in principle for its masterplan for land north east of Blar Mhor Industrial Estate at Lochyside.The land was acquired by the council for £2 million in 2015 from Tesco after the retailer abandoned plans to build a store.Working with NHS Highland, the council has proposed building a replacement to Fort William’s ageing Belford Hospital.In the design statement prepared by agents Inverness-based Threesixty Architecture, it is stated that the project will be carried out over a number of phases.The first phase is likely to be a residential development of up to 125 units. It is intended that this will begin next year. Timescales for the hospital part of the development are unknown.Housing is to be a mix of flatted, semi detached or detached homes ranging from one-bedroom to four bedrooms in size. There will be groupings of single storey bungalows and clusters of three storey flats.It will be a range of low cost ownership, mid-market, or social rent and private. A minimum of 25% of the homes will be affordable, however this is likely to be up to 100% in the first phase, the statement claims.A date for the masterplan to go before the planning committee is still to be fixed.