Councillors are set to travel to Ardgay in the New Year to view the potential impact of a controversial wind farm project.

The north planning applications committee has decided to organise a visit to the site of the proposed Glenmorie wind farm and to postpone a decision until after the trip.

The 34-turbine wind farm has received hundreds of objections so far.

Residents are to be given the chance to discuss the matter and will also be allowed to decide where the bus-full of councillors stops during the visit.

The decision to organise the outing followed a series of emails to committee members on the eve of a meeting in Inverness on Tuesday.

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Objectors were angry that a visit to the site had been overlooked.

The committee chairman, Councillor Isobel McCallum of Black Isle, suggested a visit be held in January before the debate began.

It was unanimously supported by her colleagues.

Local community councils are largely against the huge scheme. They will now be given an input into the day trip’s schedule and the exact viewpoints from where the site should be examined.

Ardross, Edderton, Ardgay and District and Invergordon community councils are all opposed to the wind farm.

Glenmorie Wind Farm LLP is set to build the 125-metre high turbines, albeit nine less than in its original plans.

The development on the Kildermorie and Glencalvie estates was recommended for approval by the local authority’s planning department.

The council received 121 objections and only one letter of support. The Scottish government, which will ultimately have the final say on the project, received 209 objections and 32 in support.

(IT)