A CONTROVERSIAL wind-turbine project - in a national scenic area, on land owned by a conservation body - has been given planning permission.

The application by a community group to build the single turbine on moorland near Achiltibuie on the Coigach coast attracted more than 600 objections and messages of support.

Objectors fear the turbine will damage the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area and could harm the local tourist trade.

But the Coigach Community Development Company said the £2 million, 900-kilowatt turbine could provide an income of £200,000 a year.

Highland Council planners deferred considering it last month to look closer at the landscape impact. They have now given the scheme the go-ahead.

The site is in the Ben Mor Coigach estate owned by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.