The £175m waterfront development plans for the harbour and foreshore has finally been given the go-ahead by Scottish Ministers.

Scottish ministers have given the green light to The plans for the £175m facelift of the historic waterfront in Bo'ness hopes to attract further economic investment.

The 400-year-old harbour will be transformed into a modern marina with a 90-bedroom hotel and hundreds of new homes.

Although Falkirk Council had agreed to support the project final approval was needed from the Scottish Executive.

The council and developer ING Real Estates can now conclude the legal agreements so that work can begin.

Concerns about wildlife

Scottish Executive ministers were called to give their backing after concerns were raised that the harbour and development was next to a special wildlife protected area.

Fer Dijkstra, of ING Real Estate UK, said: "The decision by the Scottish Executive marks yet another important step in the regeneration of Bo'ness."

Foreshore transformation

The 27.5 hectare development will transform the foreshore area of Bo'ness with the creation of a marina for leisure craft centering on the existing harbour.

A yacht club, hotel, restaurants, bars and shops also form part of the proposed development together with the building of 123 flats and 75 townhouses.

Work should start in July

Work on the project is now expected to start in July 2007 and could last up to eight years.

Up to 700 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs are expected to be created.

The decision also means that the long-awaited start to the redevelopment of the western approach to the town at Corbiehall will get underway.