Proposals for what has been hailed as the UK's most powerful wind farm development have received government approval.

The �40m site at Cairn Uish, in Morayshire, will employ about 50 people during the construction of 28 turbines.

The Scottish Executive said the site near Elgin will provide 10% of the new renewable energy generation needed to meet its target for 2010.

Ted Leeming, director of Natural Power Consultants, which has been developing the site for Fred Olsen Renewables, said: "We are delighted to hear this result.

"We have been working on the proposal for over three years and this announcement is a major step forward for what will be the most powerful wind farm in the UK.

"We look forward to the next phase of the project's development and will continue to work closely with the local community at all times, as we progress."

Nick Emery, of Fred Olsen Renewables, said: "The announcement increases Scotland's potential to be a world leader in the field of renewable energy and we hope that the consent of this project will give the industry increasing confidence to invest further."