In its heyday Nigg employed thousands of workers

Highland Council's John Rennilson met Jim Moffat and David Zimmerman from KBR, which owns the Nigg yard.

KBR owns most of the Easter Ross site but there has been a dispute over a strip of land owned by an organisation, known as the Wakelyn Trust.

Mr Rennilson said the council would now seek fresh talks with the trust.

KBR leases the area owned by the Wakelyn Trust and Mr Rennilson said this was an issue that needed to be discussed further.

This cannot go on indefinitely. Every month that passes is doing it no good John Rennilson Highland Council director of planning

At its height, Nigg employed about 5,500 oil fabrication workers but the yard effectively closed about five years ago.

Some work continues, but on a short-term basis.

Two massive offshore wind turbines were put together at the site before being floated out into the Moray Firth.

Mr Rennilson said the council wanted to see the yard put back into operation as soon as possible so local companies, particularly in the renewable energy sector, could better compete for orders.

The infrastructure was deteriorating and the area also risked losing a skilled workforce, he said.

Mr Rennilson added: "This cannot go on indefinitely. Every month that passes is doing it no good."

He said further talks would be sought before a report was submitted to the council.

'At risk'

Planning committee chairman, Drew Hendry, who also attended Monday's meeting, said KBR along with all the other parties involved had a "responsibility" to Nigg and the Highlands to get the yard fully operational.

He said the situation could not go on much longer before the site falls into disrepair.