GLASGOW-BASED leisure operator Minoan Group has secured backing for its long-awaited £200 million resort development in Greece from the local population.

The company announced to the stock market that the local municipality of Sitia in Crete has reaffirmed its backing for the scheme.

This is part of a public consultation process due to finish at the end of the month.

The local authority in Sitia held a meeting earlier this week to discuss the details of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the 25,000-acre development before recommending approval.

If there are no objections to the SEA, the next step will be for a presidential decree to be issued, which would effectively give the project the go-ahead.

A few days ago representatives of the Periphery, the regional government of Crete, organised a site visit.

Minoan chairman ­Christopher Egleton said: "I am delighted to have this confirmation that the local community supports the project and is looking forward to the benefits it will bring to the area.

"The municipality vote is part of the public consultation process, which should be completed at the end of the month."

Work on the site could begin in late 2014.