Plans to bulldoze an office block in a Moray town have been thrown out after the firm’s pleas for a review have been rejected.
Osprey Housing is considering moving away from its Lossiemouth base to a new site as part of a review of its premises.
As part of the project, the firm could knock down its current Clifton Road premises and replace them with 10 flats.
Management at the housing association have stressed that knocking down its base at the town is just one option that is under consideration as part of a wider review.
Planners at Moray Council rejected the plans last year due to them not fitting in with the area and reducing the privacy for neighbouring properties.
And yesterday, members of the authority’s local review body unanimously agreed with the decision from officials.
Planning officer Lisa Macdonald said: “The three-storey block will be unduly obtrusive and dominant in the established street scene and would not contribute to the sense of place in this part of Lossiemouth.
“This block would not be appropriate to the scale and character of the surrounding area. Furthermore, the three-storey block fails to reflect the style, form or scale of the adjoining listed buildings and would dominate these to an unacceptable to degree.
“In addition, the proposed off-white render on the block is not in keeping with the finish of surrounding buildings.”
Initially up to 15 flats were proposed for the site before it was scaled back to 10 in two blocks instead of one.
A total of 19 objections were received by council planners from locals concerned about the impact the development would have.
Despite the concerns, architects hired by Osprey Housing insisted the housing complex should get the go-ahead.
A report from Lippe Architects and Planners explains: “The central location of the site is sustainable given the reuse of the brownfield site and proximity of public transport and services.
“The development will also provide housing where there is an identified need as well as demand, providing a choice of properties in a sustainable location.
“With regard to the built environment, it has been demonstrated that there is not an impact on the neighbouring listed buildings and therefore the wider environment is respected.”