A restaurant extension and a dozen holiday cabins have been approved for the Cairngorms National Park.
Planners approved the moves yesterday despite a number of objections to the work.
A debate was held about the merits of allowing 12 holiday cabins to be built near Strathdon, in a woodland clearing, just off the scenic Snow Roads route at Corgarff.
Concerns had been raised about the impact they would have on the landscape and the implication of a lack of nearby amenities for visitors, but the application was approved after a site visit from members of the Cairngorms National Park Authority committee.
Convener Eleanor Mackintosh said: “While I appreciate and fully understand the concerns raised, there is no doubt that an accommodation offering of this quality would do well in an area like Strathdon.”
“With the development of the Snow Roads Scenic Route and all the exciting developments in the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area, the eastern edges of the park are attracting more and more visitors.”
The renovation and extension of The Ptarmigan Restaurant at Cairngorm Mountain was also approved.
The building houses the funicular railway terminus as well as exhibition space and a shop and its restaurant will now be expanded, while new viewing platforms will be constructed on stilts outside.
CNPA planning officer Katherine Donnachie said: “Much of the work involved is internal and will make a positive difference to how people move about and it will make things like snow clearance and access much easier.
“Externally, while they are seeking to extend the building, the visual impacts will be minimal.”