With both Asda and Tesco encountering frustrating and costly planning hurdles in Tain, it is hoped that the big retailers will cast their eyes down the A9 to Invergordon with the lure of extra trade off the A9 from East Sutherland as well as the local towns.

Behind the move are Highland councillors Maxine Smith and Martin Rattray, who will meet shortly with the council's chief planner Richard Hartland to discuss redesignating land on the Tomich Road from industry to retail use.

Councillor Smith said: "I believe we must change our local plan, as we cannot afford to sit on our laurels and watch supermarkets go to every other town.

"The planning situation is holding Invergordon back and we need to be able to send a strong signal to potential supermarket bidders that Invergordon is very much open for business."

The site earmarked is to the north of the old British Aluminium smelter site, bordered by the industrial road from the A9 to the town centre and by the A9 itself.

Cllr Smith said: "We feel the site up near the A9 will attract shoppers from the north, the west and from the Black Isle."

Tesco's application for a supermarket and filling station in Tain was thrown out by the local planning committee last week on transport grounds and the company said this week that no decision had yet been made about appealing the decision.

Asda has also temporarily backed out of its plans for a store and filling station in Tain's Knockbreck Road after the application was called in by Scottish ministers.

Cllr Smith, who also chairs Invergordon Business Association, said traders need not be fearful of a supermarket in their town.

She said: "Local shops might be a little concerned if a supermarket were to come but after studying various reports on supermarkets versus town centre shopping, I feel there is a place for both.

"The supermarket can be sited to attract people into the town that would otherwise not visit. I think this can be done on Tomich Road."

Cllr Rattray said: "Councillor Smith and I recognise the need to revisit the local plan to ensure that Invergordon has the opportunity to grow and we intend delivering this.

"It is important that Invergordon is not side-stepped when it comes to development, whether that be a supermarket or other retail or industrial development."

He added: "We are due to meet with the planning department soon to progress what we see as the communities' vision for our town."

Both Tesco and Asda were unaware of the rezoning move this week.

Asda's Scottish spokeswoman said: "We are still in the middle of making a decision with regard to our options in Tain and, once that has been decided, we can look at other sites. But we are always looking for opportunities across the Highlands because we don't have a store further north than Elgin."

Tesco's corporate affairs manager Doug Wilson said: "We have a dedicated property team in Scotland and we are always interested in other opportunities. I will go back to my team with this new information for consideration."

editor@north-star-news.co.uk

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