Community pressure has led to the preferred location of an Inverness-shire substation being moved.
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plan to build a major new substation as part of their wider project to reinforce their electricity network between Beauly, Knocknagael and Tomatin.
The electricity giant initially planned to build the substation at Garbole on the banks of the River Findhorn which sparked protests from local residents, who formed the Save Strathdearn campaign group.
Local residents suggested an alternative site further up the valley towards the existing Farr Windfarm, in addition to the four locations initially looked at by SHE Transmission.
However, the company have now announced that they will take forward a fifth site elsewhere in the glen as their preferred option.
Over 300 people commented on the proposals in the last round of consultation events in April last year.
SHE Transmission will be hosting its next set of events next week to provide an update on the project requirements.
Stephen McCall, project manager for the SHE Transmission project, said: “We have modified our project in response to the feedback we received from the local community and interested stakeholders and hope that we can now work together to progress with the new proposals.
“I am keen to understand and listen to the opinion of those living in the area and would encourage the public to come along to our events next week to provide their feedback on what we believe is a responsible and satisfactory site.”
A spokeswoman for the Save Strathdearn group said that they did not want to comment until they had been more detail for the plans.
However, energy minister Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, said: ” I am delighted that SHE Transmission have taken a great deal of time and effort to listen very carefully to the views of local residents, and also that, following careful deliberation, have now proposed an alternative site for the location of the sub-station instead of Garbole.
“Of course the question of the access route to the new site remains to be determined, and it is sensible that there be further consultation on this, now that people know where the sub-station is to be located.
“I would also recognise the substantial work that the community council has done in putting forward the views of the local residents. I wish to thank SHE Transmission and their staff for listening to the people and responding positively to the concerns expressed.”