Developers with property interests in Fort William Town Centre have this week revealed, exclusively to the Lochaber News, their proposals for the future development of Fort William High Street.

Plum Developments, owners of the Tweeddale Building, are proposing a major redevelopment of the east end of Fort William High Street which would provide most of the facilities called for by Highland Council in the Waterfront Development document issued last year. These include residential accommodation, supermarket, retail units a hotel and offices.

Steve Grey of Plum Developments said, "We looked at the requirements identified by the Highland Council and believed that we could provide most of these facilities within the existing town centre and also provide a transformational impact on Fort William. We considered that the Waterfront proposals could result in a retail shift away from the town centre to the detriment of the High Street as it is."

The plans have been available to Highland Council officials since last year but they have chosen not to make them available to local councillors or the public dismissing them as a "late proposal" in their December report on the Waterfront.

Plum Developments, as owners of Tweedale Buildings, have confirmed that they have discussed their proposals with adjoining owners prior to preparing their plans.

The scale of the development is similar to that proposed by the four Developers short listed for the Waterfront project and includes 65000 square feet of supermarket and retail space, 100 + units of residential accommodation and an 80 bedroom hotel. Alex Cliff of Plum Developments said "The plan which we have submitted is purely a framework for discussion. There is considerable flexibility as to the exact layout of the buildings and we appreciate that there will require to be lengthy discussions with all sections of the community to ensure the maximum benefit for the future of Fort William."

Steve Grey added "If there is a local interest in our plan we would intend to explore with the community the best way of taking it forward. We have already had some positive comments and suggestions from locals including the provision of a retail overpass over the A82 providing direct access to the waterfront"

A local businessman said "This plan would kick start the regeneration of the High Street without taking the risks associated with the reclamation of land at the waterfront. It would also appear to be deliverable within a reasonable timescale and significantly improve the view of the town from the A82"

Plum Developments highlight a number of benefits of their plan including the regeneration of a presently unattractive site in the town centre, refocusing of the present buildings to maximise the fantastic asset that is Loch Linnhe, creating a vibrant extension to the High Street and pedestrian linkage to the waterfront allowing the potential for shoreline developments and facilities

Dave Wrigglesworth, Chairman of the Fort William Retail Association, said "We would support any significant development of the High Street particularly one which would include increased retailing and which would integrate closely with the existing shops. With this proposal for one end of the High Street we would then look for a similar development at the West End."

Plum Developments and its associated companies have been involved in a number of developments primarily in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Current projects include the redevelopment of Shawfield Retail and Trade Park, Glasgow. The redevelopment of the former Ethicon Factory in Bankhead, Edinburgh. The renovation of the former Venue building beside Waverly Station, Edinburgh.