The jobs will be transferred to Inverness

Scottish Executive ministers have formally directed the agency to move its headquarters despite serious concerns over costs.

SNH claims that the relocation exercise will cost about �30m and that the majority of its 270 headquarters staff will resign.

Economic consultants had previously ruled out the move as too expensive but the executive confirmed it will go ahead as part of a policy to disperse the benefits of public sector jobs around Scotland.

Ministers have agreed to fund the cost of the relocation and also said they will allow 50 staff to remain in Edinburgh.

SNH has now been instructed to draw up plans for the move by the end of October.

As things stand over 200 public servants are still facing the sack because of this decision PCS union

However, unions are angry at the executive's decision and claim it goes against all the advice it received.

A spokesman for the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said: "The fact that the ministers have made a direction obviously demonstrates their determination to move staff to Inverness.

"However they have still failed to deliver on their commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies.

"As things stand over 200 public servants are still facing the sack because of this decision - it is now four months since (First Minister) Jack McConnell said that he saw no reason for compulsory redundancy, hopefully he will now do something to deliver on that commitment."

'Heart of the Highlands'

Environment Minister Ross Finnie confirmed the move will go ahead.

He said: "We have made clear our decision to put Scotland's natural heritage agency at the heart of the Highlands to further our relocation policy objectives.

"In reaching this decision ministers considered a range of financial and non-financial factors.