A small hydro electric scheme near Invergarry has been given permission despite fears over noise from local residents.
Northern Ireland based developer Newmills Engineering have been given permission to build a new run-of-river scheme with three intakes and a powerhouse at Munergie.
Councillors gave the scheme planning permission, despite fears from local residents about the possible impact on water supplies to nearby villages and the noise generated by the powerhouse.
Glengarry Community Council objected on grounds that water from both Loch Lundie and Loch Bhainne, the latter of which will feed this project, is needed to keep water supplies to villages in the area running in dry conditions.
Peter Walker, chairman of the community council, said: “In a very dry year the water from both Loch Lundie and Loch Bhainne are needed to keep the ever expanding village water supply working.
“There is no guarantee that a number of other households and businesses on private water supplies served by the proposed catchment area will not also be affected in a very dry year.”
The committee were told this week that planners and SEPA are both confident that the water flow can managed by licences to ensure that there is no impact on private water supplies.
A number of neighbours to the land also objected on similar grounds.
However, councillors on the South Planning Applications Committee voted unanimously to approve the plan despite the concerns.
The developer plan to use water from Loch a Bhaine, supplemented with water collected from the Coire nan
Gearran river to the east and Allt Acaidh Luachriach to the west to drive a turbine at the foot of the hill near Munergie, just north of the A87 main road.
Access to the site will be off the main road and then on forest tracks, using offroad vehicles to work on the 16ft wide channel needed to install the pipes.