Plans for a new glass-fronted restaurant at a historic Inverness hotel have been approved by councillors.
The owners of the B-listed Drumossie Hotel want to remove a small porch and build a new steak house restaurant at the northern end of the main building.
The extension will be semi-circular and glazed, aimed at creating a “transparent appearance”.
The changes also include alterations to the stairs at the hotel’s main entrance.
Highland Council’s south planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.
However, councillors were split on how strongly they accepted the plans.
Local member Councillor Jim Crawford welcomed the plans.
He said: “This will actually improve the front of the hotel. It will enhance rather than detract from it.”
But committee chairman Councillor Jimmy Gray said he accepted the recommendation by planning officers to accept the plans “reluctantly” after a long-running dispute over the replacement of original steel-framed windows.
The hotel’s owners Monument Leisure had wanted to instal modern uPVC equivalents as part of previous improvement plans.
The council issued an enforcement order in 2005 seeking the removal of uPVC windows which were erected in 2003 without permission, although these were never replaced. The row went on for eight years before Scottish Government reporter Phillip Hutchinson granted permission in 2013.
Mr Gray said: “It’s hugely regrettable that we’ve ended up in this position.
He added: “I personally disagreed with the reporters assessment but we are where we are.”
Councillor Donnie Kerr said: “I don’t think we should continue the deterioration of a fine building by keeping on approving things.
“I personally feel it’s a step too far for a building which is losing its character at a rapid pace.”
However, Badenoch and Strathspey councillor Bill Lobban said the hotel plans should be approved because of the potential “economic benefit”.
The hotel dates back to the 1930s when it was build as a roadside stop due to its location near the old A9.
Monument Leisure was unable to comment last night.