SUPPORT for a derelict mart to be developed into a multi-million pound visitor centre has received a fresh boost by an Angus community.
Angus Council will receive formal backing from Inveresk Community Council in regard to this development which will transform the old village mart into a tourist attraction.
Should approval from the Angus Council go ahead dozens of jobs will be cr
eated, with the inclusion of a cafe and retail complex within the site.
A previous application had been backed by the community.
However, those plans were rejected by the Angus Council due to fears that, because of the large scale of the planned site, damage would be done to the self-seeded trees which cover the area.
After a revision of the plans resulted in a smaller scale proposal, the applicants hope they will receive backing when they re-submit to Angus Council in the near future.
The Inveresk Community Council is fully supportive of the proposal.
Charles Simpson, the community council's chairman updated members with the progress of the plans at the most recent monthly meeting.
He said: "I received a telephone call from the applicants to say that they are in the final stages.
"They had hoped for the plans to be ready to go before the council this month, but now they believe they will go before next month's committee.
"We supported the plans in the past but letters of support for previous applications fall by the wayside when new proposals are submitted.
"I also think the new planning application is much better than the old one; it seems to be a much tighter arrangement."
Heather Gow, community councillor, agreed. She said: "The plans will give some employment to some of the local people and replace an eyesore."
An agreement was reached by the members who will now write to the council to reinstate their support for the visitor centre proposals.
