The building plans have been approved by planners

Councillors in Inverness have approved proposals to develop the site of the nurses home at the former Craig Dunain psychiatric hospital in the city.

The new headquarters will be one of the most environmentally-friendly public sector developments in Scotland.

The heritage quango is due to move into the offices in March 2006.

The plans have achieved an "excellent" rating based on the building research establishment environmental assessment method (BREEAM).

BREEAM is regarded as the UK construction industry's benchmark of best practice for the environment.

Protest moves

Although planning permission was given the thumbs up, councillors imposed a series of conditions.

Objectors to the building include Muirtown Community Council, and Lord Burton of Dochfour Estates.

They complain they were not consulted properly, that the building will be an eyesore and that a green field site will be affected.

Critics' fears have been fuelled by a request from the developers, the Robertson Group, to postpone a new link road for a year.

A spokesman for SNH said the organisation was "quite pleased" to receive the go-ahead.

"There are a few days where the council can come and visit the site so we are not through all the hoops yet," he said.

The Scottish Natural Heritage relocation proved controversial

"The changes are down to the developers, but as I understand it is not a problem."

The official added: "It is pretty much parking that needs changed and it is nothing that will cause problems and cause time to be taken up. It is a pretty minor thing."

Measures to move staff from Edinburgh to Inverness were first unveiled in March last year.

The decision became embroiled in controversy after staff said they had not been asked about the switch.

Some 50 staff will remain in the Edinburgh office after 2006, but this number will be reduced to 25 by 2010.

Scottish Natural Heritage is the Scottish Executive's statutory adviser on the conservation, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage.