Highland Council is to raise no objection to a major hydro-electric project near Loch Ness – on the condition there are strict rules on rock blasting and the colour of a dam wall.
Under the proposals, Glen Earrach Pumped Storage Hydro scheme would use Loch nam Breac Dearga, in hills above Drumnadrochit, as an upper reservoir and Loch Ness as a lower one.
In a vote, Highland Council’s south planning applications committee was split on whether to support or oppose the plans.
Committee chairman Paul Oldham used his casting vote to back an amendment to raise no objection, provided blasting took place in daytime and the dam wall was blended in with surrounding hills.
The Scottish government, which will decide if the project should go ahead, had consulted the local authority on the plans.
The developer, Glen Earrach Energy, said its project was an opportunity to create jobs and provide nationally important energy infrastructure.
READ MORE: BBC
