Hundreds of jobs will be created in Fort William after Highland councillors approved plans for an alloy car wheels factory in the town.
GFG Alliance proposed the factory as part of an expansion of its Lochaber Smelter.
Planning officers had recommended that the proposal, which could see the factory start producing in 2020, should be granted permission.
GFG Alliance has proposed the factory as part of an expansion of its Lochaber Smelter and, if given the go-ahead, could start producing in 2020.
The new factory will involve an investment of around £130m. GFG company Liberty British Aluminium would manufacture the wheels.
Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes said she hopes everyone in the region will benefit.
She said: “It is just over a year since Liberty announced it was buying the Lochaber smelter with plans to expand.
“It followed several months of fear and uncertainty about the previous owner’s strategic review, with jobs at stake.
“The key here is not necessarily alloy wheels or aluminium smelting in and of itself, but instead the impact on the local economy.
“It’s about the future of jobs, houses and training opportunities for local people, as well as attracting people to move to the area.”