Revised plans have been submitted to Highland Council for converting a long established Nairn hotel into a guest house and 13 flats.
The Windsor Hotel, which has been popular with coach parties for many years, has had several changes of management in recent years.
The Albert Street property, near the A96 and five minutes’ walk from one of Nairn’s beaches, has been boarded up for some months.
In a submission last April, the owner Jagdeep Sandhu initially proposed a 16-flat development – only to withdraw the application a few months later.
Community councillors considered the plans and did not object.
A couple of questions were raised at the time by residents, one about the possibility of so-called “affordable” flats and whether they would be allocated for locals.
There was also a question about whether the proposed guest house would be licensed, which is not a planning consideration.
Under the revised plans, the number of guest rooms would be reduced to 11. There would be 30 parking spaces, a reduction of two.
The fresh application has had warm support from Nairn West and Suburban Community Council.
Its chairman Dick Youngson said: “The proposals are fine – far better than the present moment when it is all boarded up and looking very sad.
“This is the sort of accommodation and facilites, probably, that are required. This particular project meets with our support.
“We had initially heard on the grapevine that they were going to convert it all to flats, which would have been disastrous in that area. Part of the old building is really quite attractive.
“They’re going to keep that and work on it, which will fit in very nicely with the area.”
Community leaders are keen for the renovation to be carried out as a matter of urgency.
The hotel, which has hosted a wide range of functions from comedy events and musical nights to Valentine’s Day dinners and governmental public inquiries, suffered a kitchen fire a few years ago and has been attacked by vandals in recent months.
The fresh planning application will be considered by the council in due course.