A major north employers’s plans to build a biomass heat plant on the outskirts of Inverness have been approved by councillors.
Norbord is planning to expand its facilities at Dalcross as well as construct new process buildings and equipment, and a revamped mill.
Based at Morayhill, the company makes strandboard wood panels and currently employs around 150 staff and supports more than supply 300 jobs.
When complete, the site will expand from the present 24 acres to an area of 55 acres, encompassing a wood processing facility operated by Scotbark, and a sand quarry run by Moray Estates.
It would also create an extra 31 full-time jobs at the factory, with another 530 within the supply chain in Scotland – 240 of which will be in the Highlands.
Councillors agreed to conceptual designs, with the eventual look of the plant extension still to be determined.
The size of the building is limited by restrictions due to nearby Inverness Airport.
Councillor Thomas Prag said the council should work with Norbord on the eventual look of the building.
He said: “I know its an industrial building but we shouldn’t just leave it to see what they come up with.
“We should work to make sure we get the best building possible for the site.”
The first stage of the extension could be operational by 2017.
The proposed development would more than double its output, with additional storage, heat-raising, and office facilities.
Preparation work began earlier this year at the site, which is bordered by the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen road on one side, and the rail line between the cities on the other.