Welcome to our regular look at the latest planning applications in Moray.

Officials have approved plans for a new flagpole in Aberlour’s Square.

Parklands is looking to build a multi-million pound on land near an Elgin hotel.

And there are plans for a balcony at existing holiday let and a new chalet to boost Dufftown’s business’s accommodation offering.

More details on each of these applications below.

SUBMITTED: Multi-million-pound care home planned for Elgin

Parklands Care Homes has submitted plans for a new multi-million-pound care home in Elgin.

The firm is seeking planning permission in principle for a new care home on a gateway site next to the A96.

The new care home is expected to provide dozens of jobs for the area and boost the local supply chain.

The proposal is for a 40-bed, two-storey care home with secure landscaped gardens next to the Eight Acres Hotel.

There would be ample parking for staff and visitors and a biomass facility would provide renewable energy.

The new Elgin facility on Morriston Road would be Parklands’ sixth Moray care home.  It currently has homes in Aberlour, Keith and three in Buckie.

Work could start next year, coinciding with Parklands’ 30th anniversary, once detailed planning consents have been secured.

Meanwhile, Parklands is currently building a new 58-bed care home in Inverness which will form part of an integrated care hub for the city, comprising the care home, a later living village and affordable homes for key workers.

SUBMITTED: Work for holiday let

Paddle Antics Limited wants to make changes to their accommodation for visitors to give the malt whisky capital of the world a tourism boost.

They are looking to add a balcony to an existing holiday let at Rockview Corsemaul Drive in Dufftown.

Meanwhile, there is plans for new chalet holiday let accommodation to be built.

Potential benefits of plans

Paddle Antics Limited which has been running for 18 months offers packaged holidays with accommodation and activities included.

They are hoping to expand activities, offering to cover a range of half day and full day trips by canoe, kayak and paddleboard on the Spey.

Bosses believe this summer has shown that there is significant room for expansion of these types of activities.

Included within these packages will be paddle sports activities as well as collaborating with a range of local businesses such as the local distilleries as well as many independent retailers and tourism businesses across Dufftown and the wider Speyside region.

What about the new holiday lets?

The new modular chalet holiday let will have a woodburning stove to provide a carbon-neutral heating source to the main living area.

This unit will allow easy access and use for the young, elderly, and disabled people.

It is hoped that it will provide a high standard of accommodation that is a suitable for a wide range of people.

How is the health of Dufftown?

Like many others across the country, Dufftown has suffered badly from the economic downturn.

Over the years, tourists have visited the town known as the ‘malt whisky capital of the world’ for its distilleries.

At the moment, groups are trying to entice them to explore and support the town centre.

APPROVED: New flagpole in town’s square

A new flagpole will be erected at the Square in Aberlour.

The application had been submitted by Speyside Community Council on behalf of Aberlour Community Association.

Back in December 1994, the flagpole made the news headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Two SNP activists were convicted of cutting down a Union Jack and stealing it from the flagpole in protest at the Speyside’s town square.

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