Plans for a major £330m village development at Forestmill, Clackmannanshire, have been given the go-ahead by the Scottish Government after a public inquiry into the proposals was scrapped.

The inquiry was cancelled following the approval of the Clackmannanshire Structure Plan 3rd Alteration, and Fife-based developer Muir Group now expects work to get underway within the next three years. A 100-bedroom hotel, a championship-standard golf course and a housing development are included in the proposals, as well as a range of community and leisure facilities incorporating a bowling green, tennis courts and a leisure centre.

Meadowhill open cast mine will also be restored and enhanced as part of the project, which is expected to create around 960 jobs and will help sustain the county's continuing population growth. Eddie Carrick, Clackmannanshire Council's portfolio holder for sustainability, said: "The proposals for Forestmill are very exciting and will have a huge positive influence for people in Clackmannanshire.

"This development is unique in central Scotland for its scope, which shows how attractive the county remains as a location, and we're pleased to have a committed developer on board who is in a strong financial position to see the project through." Muir Group director Ronnie Muir added: "Our proposals represent a multi-million pound investment for the local area and we are pleased the Scottish Government has chosen to endorse the decision originally taken by Clackmannanshire Council to support this project."