PLANS to develop part of a Highland peninsula for stargazers and build a multiplex cinema in Fort William in an effort to generate almost £2 million for the local economy are to be voted on in the run up to Christmas.
Organisers of the proposals say that almost 1000 firms from Glencoe to Knoydart have a six week deadline to decide whether to accept the proposals which are part of a blueprint put forward for a new Business Improvement District (BID).
However, opponents say the figure is only just over 700.
It would form the largest geographical Business Improvement District (BID) in the UK, which organisers claim would bring will bring almost £2m of funding into the area.
Businesses with a rateable value of at least £2000 will be able to vote on whether Lochaber gets a BID and voting papers, along with the BID Business Plan, have been posted out to every eligible business in the region.
A spokesman for the BID Farewell Group, which is opposed, said talk of matching funding was premature.
He added: "Research into the other 20 BIDs at the present up and running in Scotland show a very varied picture with Elgin being successful in attracting matchfunding for their projects but Aberdeen has only been able to attract a further 15% of their total Levy in additional funding."
The plan includes turning part of Ardnamurchan, near Lochaber, into Scotland's second Dark Sky Park for astronomers and stargazers after Galloway Forest Park.
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