Invergordon waste incinerator plans approved
Plans for a controversial £43m waste incinerator in Easter Ross have been given the go-ahead after a public inquiry.
There had been a high profile campaign against the Invergordon scheme, with local landowner Mohamed Al Fayed among the objectors.
They claimed pollution from the plant would damage local people's health.
But a Scottish government planning reporter said the evidence did not back up those claims.
The proposed waste incinerator - at the Cromarty Firth Industrial Park - had been the subject of lengthy legal wrangles.
It was originally turned down by Highland Councillors amid concern that emissions could cause health problems, and over fears of increased traffic on the already notorious Tomich junction on the A9.
But the company behind the scheme - Combined Heat and power - appealed against the council's decision, which led to a public inquiry earlier this year.
Scottish government planning reporter Richard Dent has now come out in support of the developer.
He said that although public concern was widespread and sincere, it did not warrant the refusal of planning permission.
Local councillor Maxine Smith described his ruling as "disgraceful."