Multi-million-pound plans for a new town in the Highlands are back on the table.
Property developers CWC Group have resubmitted plans to transform the site of the former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier, two miles north-east of the village, five miles west of Nairn and 10 miles east of Inverness.
Their plans for the 700-acre site include up to 1,950 houses and flats of mixed types, including affordable units.
Community facilities envisaged include a health centre and primary school, and a potential of 2,325 parking spaces for residents and visitors.
A four-star 80-120 bed hotel is proposed, with health club and conference facilities.
A marina of up to 500 moorings is also part of the package, with associated boat yard and yacht club.
A visitor centre, shops and restaurants would also be included.
There would be landscaping throughout the development including an adventure playground and playing fields.
The developer also envisages nature conservation zones within the site and an upgrade of the existing services infrastructure and internal road network.
Planning permission in principle was initially granted on the site in 2007; since then, most of the buildings on the site have been demolished and the land, originally reclaimed from marshes in the 1970s.
A public drop-in consultation will be held on Friday December 13 at Ardersier War Memorial Hall between 3-7pm.
Businessman and cheesemaker Callum Clark, of Connage Dairies on the outskirts of Ardersier, said if the plans came to fruition, he would welcome more people in the area.
He said: “It would be better for business and better for attracting funds in to Highland Council.”
Councillor Trish Robertson said: “I would call into question its sustainability and viability, but it would be a good site for something like a new out of town hospital, with plenty of parking.”
CWC did not respond to a request for a comment.
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