An Easter Ross community council has objected to plans for a “visually incongruous” 39ft gas meter.
The applicant Smart Metering have applied to build a “streetpole” device between Quarry Road and Viewfield Road in Tain.
Highland Council planning officials have recommended councillors approve the scheme at a meeting next week, despite concern from the town’s community council about the plans.
A previous application was withdrawn to be revised following public concern.
But in its representation to the community council it found the latest proposal, which is 32ft to the east, “just as concerning”.
It said: “We would wish to object once again on the grounds the proposal is visually incongruous in relation to the nearby uses, the housing and Carnegie hotel in particular, and it will have a negative impact upon the amenity of individual passers-by whether on foot, bicycle or vehicle.
“Neither does it demonstrate sensitive siting nor make use of appropriate materials in keeping with local character.”
As well as the pole, the development would also include a 9ft antenna and cabinet boxes on the ground.
The mast would be used to communicate between gas and electricity meters in houses and energy suppliers.
The applicant said in a statement that the “installation of a new streetpole at the application site strikes the best balance between environmental and operational considerations, including the key requirement for the development to be close to the properties it is intended to serve”.
Responding to the community council’s concerns, planning officer Bob Robertson said that the mast would be screened by nearby trees, describing it as “relatively slimline”.
He also deemed that it had been “sensitively sited”.