The permission comes despite objections from neighbours over the height of the buildings, with many saying they were too tall.

The proposal has been amended by the developers from the original three blocks of flats.

The council’s planning chiefs had recommended approval provided Glen Homes puts in place a number of mitigating measures because the new buildings would be close to existing homes.

Planning officer Julie Ferguson told members of the council’s North Planning Applications Committee it was one of the last areas of The Maltings to be completed and the development totalled more than 100 houses.

One of the measures she had recommended was replacing the fence of a neighbouring property with a taller one because the windows of one of the new homes, which were already under construction, overlooking the garden.

She said the owners of the existing property, which they only bought two years ago, had found the prospect upsetting and they had also lost their view because the new buildings were in the way. She added: “This may have an impact on the amenity but it’s not considered significant.”

Ms Ferguson said there had been seven representations from neighbours who had also complained that the buildings were too high, The Ross-shire Journal reports.

Councillor Kirsteen Currie said she could not understand how the new buildings were so different from the ones sought in the original application.

Ms Ferguson said the planners used to check for differences between planning permission and building warrants but they did not have the capacity to do that any more. She added: “The onus is on the developer to get these things right and they should be right and they generally are right most times.”

Cllr Margaret Paterson added: “I am not happy with the application, not at all, Glen Homes should be well aware they should stick to the plans granted.”

Cllr Angela MacLean said it would affect neighbouring property prices and lessons had to be learned. She said: “We have to accept what is in front of us, to approve, and I am really unhappy about that.”

Cllr Maxine Morley-Smith said she felt they were “reluctantly” saying that they had to grant permission, following the officer’s recommendation, and the committee agreed – subject to a number of conditions.