A Forres-based company is celebrating after receiving planning in principle from Highland Council for educational and residential facilities in its Glenmoriston forest.
Trees for Life will now develop in-detail plans for a rewilding centre in Dundreggan Forest reserve, hoping to take full plans forward for approval next spring.
The organisation, headed by chief executive Steve Micklewright, wants to build a £2m centre with education and research facilities, 20 twin bedrooms with bathrooms, communal kitchen, library, lounge and exhibition and interpretation spaces.
The complex will also have a café and biomass district heating facility.
Mr Micklewright said: “We’ve a long way to go before we get full planning permission, but it’s exciting.
“The conditions placed on it aren’t onerous, so there’s nothing to stop us.
“We can now work with architects and go into a much deeper level of detail, with clear specifications.”
The site lies on the north side of the A887 Invermoriston to Bun Loyne road at Dundreggan Farm.
Two separate parking areas are proposed, with the education centre and cafe next to the visitor parking.
The residential unit is to lie between the existing lodge house and behind the farm steading.
The accommodation block will only be used by groups and students visiting for educational and research purposes.
