The local authority has paved the way for a for a multimillion pound expansion of a shopping centre in the Highland capital which is expected to create scores of jobs.
Dozens of construction posts are also likely to be generated by the development at the Inshes Retail Park.
A drive-through restaurant and two large shops will be built at the southern end of the complex.
It is understood fast food giant McDonald’s will create its second branch in Inverness by taking up space at the out-of-town location.
It already has a site in the city centre without a drive-through.
Edinburgh-based developer Corran Properties has previously claimed its scheme would create 140 jobs and bring new life to a rundown part of the shopping park.
At present, the site beside Bannatyne’s Health Club, comprises a Harry Ramsden’s chip shop and the disused Blockbuster Video Store.
The rest of the site has been undeveloped and used informally as a truck park.
Planning officials have approved the scheme under delegated powers, more than five months after the application was lodged.
Planner Nicola Drummond said: “This section of the retail park has lain partly vacant for a considerable period and does not provide an attractive entrance to the park.”
It is hoped that building work could start in the summer, with completion by early 2016.
Corran Properties says the development would “complete the park” and “improve the choice and competition on offer to customers”.
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans said last night: “My understanding is that there will be a budget store going in there and I can say with a degree of certainty that there will be a McDonald’s restaurant there too, as the plans are already in for the signs.
“I am very pleased to see the development going ahead and look forward to it being completed and the new retail units will simply add to the variety of shops and services in the area and boost jobs.
“There have been a lot of progressive changes in the area. We have got the campus of course and we have also made changes to the road at the Inshes roundabout, so this will add to that.”
McDonald’s franchise operator in Inverness, Craig Duncan, said that the fast-food operator remained “interested in the site” but added that nothing had been finalised.
A McDonald’s spokeswoman said: “We are always looking for new sites and can confirm that Inverness is an area where we would like to continue to invest in, open a new restaurant and create jobs.”
The scheme is one of two similar projects in the area.
Plans to create a separate retail park on land beside the A9 have yet to be decided by the council.
The proposals at Dell of Inshes include 50,000sq ft of shop space, a family pub and restaurant, and 13 community allotments.
However, the plans did attract opposition from the Eastgate Shopping Centre in the centre of Inverness.
Owner F&C REIT Asset Management claimed the extension could have an impact on the city centre.