Asda hopes to get approval to build at store at Slackbuie

Councillors said they wanted to first consider a government unit's refusal of a proposed fourth Tesco for the city.

Highland Council's Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey committee will look again at Asda's bid for a site at Slackbuie on 15 January.

It was previously deferred in June and has been recommended for refusal by council planning officials.

Planners said the proposal for a 45,000 sq ft (4,180 sq m) store at Slackbuie Farm went against planning policies.

Refuse application

A petrol station and five small retail units are also proposed for the site on the Southern Distributor Road.

Asda, which does not have a store in the Highlands, said it was committed to the Inverness project.

Tesco had appealed to the Scottish Government against councillors' decision to refuse its application for a store at Holm.