The site would store excess energy generated by wind farms and release it back to the Grid at periods of high demand. The Scottish Championship club said some of the income raised would go towards its community outreach programme.

Highland Council officials had recommended that the project should be refused planning permission.

Concerns have been raised over noise pollution and loss of green space.

But councillors at Wednesday’s south planning applications committee voted to grant permission by a vote of three to two.

ICT Battery Storage Limited has been created to drive forward the plans.

Club chairman Ross Morrison said securing planning permission marked a “historic day” for Caley Thistle and its community development trust.

He added: “I cannot explain how much work has gone into this far reaching and creative project.

“I particularly want to thank, our partners and main sponsors, the Intelligent Land Investments Group and our planning consultant Nicola Drummond, who only joined the project late on but put in a tremendous effort.

“Huge thanks also goes to our CEO and the progressive thinking team I have behind me here at the club and last, but certainly not least, the ICTFC Board of Directors, members of which made a huge financial contribution to support the club while we were working so hard to get this project over the line.

“I was pleased to be there in person today at the Highland Council’s HQ to see democracy in action.

“To all of the Caley Jags fans in our 30th Anniversary year, I now look forward to working harder than ever to deliver the bright future the club deserves to have.”