A new housing development planned at the former Glenlochy Distillery in Fort William has moved a step closer thanks to a grant from the area's local enterprise company.

Lochaber Enterprise has agreed to provide a funding package worth £65,000 to assist Grid Construction Ltd to convert the B-Listed building's pagoda tower into seven flats for private sale.

In a separate deal, Lochaber Housing Association are in negotiations with the company to convert the malt barn in to 16 affordable flats for rent within the next 18 months to meet waiting list demands.

The Glenlochy Distillery, an attractive building with a riverfront location has fallen into disrepair over the years but with Environmental Renewal funding from Lochaber Enterprise it will soon provide essential housing for the Fort William area.

Scott Dingwall, head of strategic projects at Lochaber Enterprise said: "The lack of housing supply is currently one of the principal constraints on the economic development of Fort William and Lochaber, with demand exceeding supply.  This initial project and the subsequent developments that it will encourage will allow more people to choose to live and work in the area." 

Commenting on the project, Derek Claase from Grid Construction said: "We have been trying for a number of years to find a viable use for the listed buildings at the distillery site.  This imaginative new scheme not only saves the old decaying distillery buildings but also provides much needed housing for Lochaber."