Planning application may be significant in Alistair Wilson's unsolved murder in 2004

Police investigating the murder of a banker in the Highlands almost 20 years ago have revealed a local planning application “may be significant” in their enquiries.

Alistair Wilson, who was murdered at his home in Nairn in 2004, had objected to a retrospective planning application for a large decking area outside the Havelock Hotel opposite his home on Crescent Road.

The revelation comes weeks after officers travelled to Canada to interview a key witness regarding the planning application, which police now believe is significant to the inquiry into Mr Wilson’s death.

Police now believe Mr Wilson’s death is linked to his personal life and not to his employment with the Bank of Scotland.

Alistair was shot around 7pm on Sunday November 2004 after a man called at the family’s home and asked his wife Veronica for Mr Wilson by name.

When Alistair went to the door, he was handed a blue envelope with the word ‘Paul’ on it. He went inside briefly then returned to the door where he was fatally shot.

Alistair Wilson and his son Andrew. Police Scotland

Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie said: “Shortly before his murder, Alistair had objected to the building of a large decking area within the car park of the Havelock Hotel, directly opposite the family home which he said was responsible for increased noise and litter in the area.

“The decking was built in the summer of 2004 and subject to a retrospective planning application at the time of the murder.

“While we cannot rule out any scenario, we believe this could be significant to our enquiries and I am asking anyone with information about this issue to please come forward and speak with officers.”

Police say that he did not voice his disapproval for the decking to many other people but officers understand that his formal objection was sent by the local authority to the hotel.

DS Mackie said: “Alistair did not disclose his disapproval regarding the decking to many people, however we understand that his formal objection was sent by the local authority to the Havelock Hotel on the Thursday before his murder and knowledge of his objections became public before his murder on the Sunday, which may be significant.

“I would also appeal to anyone who was involved in the building of the decking area at the Havelock Hotel in 2004 to come forward.

“Through significant enquiries being carried out we believe the answer to Alistair’s murder lies within his personal life and not in his role with the bank.

“Someone locally will have that piece of information that could be crucial to catching his killer and providing answers for his family.”

Alistair Wilson was shot dead on his doorstep in Nairn, 2004 Police Scotland

Last month, a witness reported he saw a man in possession of a handgun on East Beach in Nairn around a month before the fatal shooting after police launched an appeal. He was with another man aged between 40 and 60 years old.

A description of a man they want to trace in connection with Mr Wilson’s murder has been altered following further review of witness accounts and timing of the events on the night in question.

Police believe the man who shot Mr Wilson was aged between 20 and 40 years and now detectives are looking for a man in his mid-30s to almost 60 years old. He was approximately 5ft 7in tall and was wearing a baseball cap and jacket.

DS Mackie said: “We have been very clear that time is no barrier to justice and I hope these recent appeals will further reassure the public that we are determined to bring Alistair’s killer to justice.

“I would like to thank the local community for the positive response to our recent appeals for information.”

Anyone who believes they can assist police is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 515 of March 4 2022 and Operation Sorn or you can e-mail a dedicated inbox atSCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk