Highland councillors have given their support to a proposed new £800 million hydroelectric scheme on the banks of Loch Lochy in Scotland.

The south area planning committee of the Highland Council backed the development on Tuesday following a site visit the previous day.

The 600MW project at Coire Glas, near Invergarry, is being proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

The development would be Scotland’s largest ever hydro scheme if it is now approved by Scottish ministers – the local authority was only a statutory consultee.

The project would involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, underground power station and water tunnels in the hills above Loch Lochy and a pump storage hydro scheme designed to “soak up” excess power generated by wind and wave farms, using it to pump water up to a reservoir.

Objections to the development have been fuelled by the possible impact on tourism and the general disturbance such a vast project would entail.

Colin Nicol, SSE’s Director of Onshore Renewables, said: “The report presented to the committee recognises that the scheme would be of overall benefit to the Highlands. We believe it would also make a valuable contribution to meeting our future energy needs by allowing surplus energy to be stored and made available at times of high demand.”

SSE has said the construction would take five to six years and create about 150 jobs.