Detectives looking into the murder of a father of two over 18 years ago believe a planning issue may be relevant to their investigation. On the evening of November 28, 2004, bank manager Alistair Wilson was shot on the threshold of his family’s home in Nairn. He died later in the hospital.

He had complained to a huge decking area outside a hotel opposite his residence, according to police, just before he was shot.

Mr. Wilson claimed that the decking was the source of the noise and garbage issues.

Detectives traveled to Canada in March of this year to question someone who has now been identified as a significant witness in relation to the planning application.

Police Scotland’s major investigation team also indicated that they felt the explanation for Mr. Wilson’s death resided in his personal life and had nothing to do with his profession as a business manager at the Bank of Scotland in Inverness.

The terrace of the Havelock Hotel was created without the necessary planning permission in the summer of 2004.

At the time of the murder, it was the subject of a retroactive planning application. Mr. Wilson had filed a complaint with Highland Council.

Officers could not rule out any scenario, according to Det Supt Graeme Mackie, and they considered the planning application may be important.

He 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.

“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 Thursday before his murder, and knowledge of his objections became public before his murder on 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.”

Det Supt Mackie stated that someone in the community has vital information that might lead to the capture of Mr. Wilson’s killer and the provision of answers to his family.

Mr. Wilson’s wife, Veronica, answered the door on the evening of the shooting to a stocky man wearing a baseball cap who asked for her husband by name.

Mr. Wilson, who had been reading to his two sons, walked downstairs to speak with the man and was handed an empty blue envelope labeled “Paul.”

Mr. Wilson walked inside for a few moments before returning to the door for the second time when he was shot. His wife dashed to the Havelock Hotel for assistance.

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