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Stranraer may get McDonald's

FAST FOOD chain McDonald's could be in with an outside chance of coming to Stranraer after all.

The restaurant group submitted an offer for council-owned Bellevilla House at Portrodie in the town, prior to last month's closing date for offers for the site.

Reports at the time suggested that McDonald's had been outbid and were abandoning their interest in coming to Galloway.

However, the "Free Press" understands that theirs is one of two offers for Bellevilla which are still on the table.

The other is from Glasgow-based developers Palisades Properties, who offered more money for the site.

While the council is usually obliged to accept the highest offer for a site, it can apply for special Scottish Office permission to accept another offer if it feels there could be other benefits.

McDonald's said they planned to invest around £1 million in the site and would bring about 60 jobs to the area. This week, their spokesman said they were currently

"waiting for more information from the Council".

What Palisades plan to do with the site remains a mystery at the moment.