Up to 150 new jobs are expected to be created when the store finally opens its doors at the site by the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre.

Britain's largest retailer completed a deal to buy the site in November, last year, from Aviemore Highland Resort Limited.

The proposed store will be three times larger than the current outlet in the centre of the village.

The firm said last Autumn that they expected to submit a detailed planning application to the Cairngorms National Park Authority for the 45,000-square-feet Eco store in the coming months.

No plans have been forthcoming but a company spokesman confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that they would be submitting their proposals soon.

Mr Doug Wilson, Tesco's head of corporate affairs (Scotland), said: "We have been working closely with the Cairngorm National Park Authority looking at various options for the store site.

"We have now selected our preferred option and we will be presenting draft plans back to the park authority in the next few weeks." The Aviemore Eco-store is to be constructed from sustainable materials, using a timber-frame structure and timber cladding and finishes.

The proposals outlined previously by Tesco include solar panels and a number of proven energy efficiency measures such as the re-use of "grey" water. The design will bring more natural light into the store.

The site of the new store near the centre of Aviemore.

Tesco own their 15,000-square-feet store which opened over 10 years ago but struggles to cope with demand at peak holiday times.

The present 90 employees will be transferred to the new store, the company has said.

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Danny Alexander said: "I look forward to seeing Tesco's plans. It is important that the local community has a real say in this, and that there is significant community benefit from this store.

"I hope that the Cairngorms National Park will negotiate hard to maximise planning gain for the village, as well as the important environmental credentials.

"With a new community school planned, and other community organisations in need of premises, I hope Tesco will support these developments too.

"There are a lot of new developments planned in Aviemore over the next few years - the planners and the local community need to work together to ensure that overall impact on the village is both coherent and positive."

A park authority spokesman commented: "We are not in receipt of an application and there has been no recent contact with Tesco."

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