Welcome to the latest round of planning applications and decisions in Moray.
This week, NHS Grampian has taken a step forward in its plans for a new MRI scanner for Dr Grays.
The application has gone in for a veterans’ centre in the old Leanchoil nurses’ accommodation in Forres, too.
And on the culinary front, a former tandoori in Lossie could become a cafe and takeaway.
All these things still need the go-ahead from planners – but some decisions have been made already.
Among those is a change of use for the first floor of a pub in Rothes, which will become a community hub.
Read on for more details and a first look at images relating to some of these plans.
Dr Gray’s MRI moves closer
NHS Grampian has got its application for an extension to house the much-talked-about MRI scanner.
They want to extend Dr Gray’s to make room for the new scanner and “associated clinical spaces”.
The scanner is part of a £55 million upgrade to the Moray hospital, confirmed in 2019.
The health board is using Aberdeen-based MRT Architects for the plans.
The application also includes some landscaping changes, including new footpaths and plants.
The application states that it includes changes to a previous plan “significant enough that they will require a new application”.
But the statement continues: “Feedback received suggest that this will not be a problematic application as we are applying for something less than the scheme that is already consented.
It says: “A key part of the reasoning is to reduce the impact on the occupiers of Ward 4 and the Pluscarden Clinic, so no new issues are expected.”
New workshop for Elgin
Also in Elgin, Grant Russell is applying for permission to create a new workshop and display premises.
The site, at Coxton Park, looks to incorporate space for Russell Construction itself and a showroom for the company’s Speyside Stoves division.
Applying through S Reid Design, the applicants are also looking to provide 18 parking spaces.
At the moment, the site is just a commercial plot.
Nurses’ quarters to veteran centre
In Forres, a major project to transform the old Leanchoil Hospital takes a step forward with an application.
Erskine Hospital had previously unveiled a vision for the abandoned property.
And now, an application is in through LDN Architects for the nurses living accommodation.
They hope to change the use from Class 8 living space to Class 10 – a veterans activity and day centre.
Erskine have previously spoken about their excitement at moving into the north of Scotland.
Tandoori to cafe
In Lossiemouth, the Shah Curry House is at the centre of an application for alterations.
Mr E Ulgu is applying to alter the internal layout and frontage to form a cafe with takeaway at the Queen Street site.
Wittets Architects are the agent for the application, which is changing things from the existing use as a tandoori and takeaway.
New life for Rothes’s Victoria Bar
Renewables company Fred Olsen has been given permission to create a community hub in a former bar.
The firm had applied to for change of use of the first floor of the old Victoria Bar in Rothes.
They want to use the upper storey as a space for what they describe as a “mixed use community hub”.
The Victoria, at 1-3 Seafield Square, last opened to customers on Christmas Eve 2020.
Agent Amos Beech is representing Fred Olsen Renewables.
The plans got the go-ahead, with some conditions.
Planners have restricted the use of the development to between 8am and 9pm Monday to Saturday.
And hours of use can be 9am to 8pm on Sundays.
The restrictions are to protect local residents from noise nuisance.
Operators are also banned from playing “amplified music” within the development.
Further planning applications can be viewed using Moray Council’s portal.
Spotted any plans you think we should know about? Get in touch at north@ajl.co.uk
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