A Highland hotel has appealed against the refusal of plans for a health and beauty spa in its grounds.
Members of Highland Council’s south planning committee voted against plans for the detached spa building in the grounds of The Boat Hotel in Boat of Garten last month.
Concerns were raised by councillors that the building would have an adverse impact on the B-listed Boat of Garten railway station because of its “prominence, scale and form”.
Committee members also raised concerns about a lack of off-street parking provided as part of the development.
The decision was taken following a site visit by members of the committee.
But the ruling was made against the advice of planning officials who recommended that the application was approved.
Now the hotel has appealed the decision to the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals.
In a letter of support for the project, the hotel’s owner The J&R Group say that the spa would help it develop “the best four star facility in the Cairngorm National Park”.
The hotel currently employs 20 staff and say that the new spa would create at least three additional full time jobs.
It added: “The proposed building would nestle into the existing sloped garden by excavating into the slope to form a level site.
“This would reduce the impact of the building from the railway, while also preserving the outlook for guests in the premium garden bedroom suites.”
The case is to be settled following a site visit by a Scottish Government reporter, with the DPEA putting a target of January 14, 2016 for a decision to be reached.