Tesco site in Fort William bought for new hospital

Tesco had planned to build a supermarket at Blar Mhor

Highland Council has bought land in Fort William from Tesco for £2m and made it available for a new hospital.

The site at Blar Mhor was surplus to the supermarket giant's requirements after it abandoned plans earlier this year to build a store on it.

Highland Council said the land was now available for the building of a replacement to Fort William's ageing Belford Hospital.

A science academy could also be built on part of the eight acre (3ha) site.

The local authority is working with NHS Highland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, West Highland College UHI and the Scottish government on the project.

'Difficult decision'

Highland Council's planning chairwoman Audrey Sinclair said: "This is a tremendous and long awaited success for the Lochaber area.

"It is a good example of partners working together to achieve success.

"The deal will enable the area to flourish with the prospect of a new much needed hospital and additional facilities for the West Highland College."

She added: "I would like to add recognition for former council leader Michael Foxley who was a significant force behind this project and worked to get Scottish government support to make this happen."

NHS Highland has still to develop a plan for the new hospital.

If it does, it has been proposed that the health board buy the Blar Mhor land from Highland Council and sell the Belford Hospital site to the local authority.

Tesco said it was pleased at selling the land.

A spokesman said: "Since we took the difficult decision not to build a new store, we have been actively seeking a purchaser.

"We have concluded a deal which will hopefully benefit the local community in Fort William, bringing the land to economic use and building new community assets."