Hospital plan now awaiting council go-ahead

Plans for Fort William’s new hospital, residential, community and science complex at Blar Mhor, Lochyside, will go before Highland councillors next week in the next step towards becoming a reality.

The councillors will be asked to grant planning permission in principle for the Highland Council development, subject to a range of conditions.

The new hospital will replace the ageing Belford. It will occupy a site more than twice the size of the current facility. It will be accessed in such a way as to avoid going through the residential

“Planners say it ‘largely’ fits with the strategy”

area, which is also of the masterplan.

The plans include 250 homes, a mix of flats and houses designed to address housing needs within Fort William.

A site for a potential primary school has been identified.

A Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre is also proposed and is being designed separately.

A police station, ambulance depot and helipad are also planned for the site, along with space for small-scale retail, such as a “neighbourhood shop”.

Planners say the development “largely” fits with the strategy for developing Fort William, but point out there are significant challenges with developing the site, particularly in managing the peat resource.

Excavated peat will be used for landscaping on the north of the site.

Blar Mhor’s planning history dates back to 2010. Highland Council bought the land for £2m from Tesco in 2015.

The council’s south planning committee will hear the application in Inverness next Tuesday. part