Welcome to Planning Ahead – our weekly round-up of the latest proposals across Moray.
Grab a cuppa and enjoy this week’s read which is packed with interesting plans.
In this week’s edition are the next steps to convert former Bank of Scotland branch in Fochabers.
Car park proposals have been revealed for the new cafe at Coleburn Distillery as part of its whisky resort vision.
Meanwhile, work can now start on the expansion of Seafield Arms Hotel’s lounge bar in Cullen.
And in Elgin, the demolition of five buildings will take place to make way for a new mixed use redevelopment on South Street.
But first, we look at plans to transform a former post office.
SUBMITTED: New life for former post office
Burghead’s former post office could soon receive a new lease of life.
Last year, the post office shut down.
Now building owner Ronald Stewart has unveiled plans to transform the building on Grant Street.
He wants to turn the property into a chip shop and cafe.
Floor plans shows there will be a takeaway entrance with waiting and serving areas.
Meanwhile, there will also be cafe entrance with a counter and seating for around 10 people.
The proposed opening hours are 4pm to 8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Meanwhile on Fridays and Saturdays, it will open from 4pm to 10pm.
APPROVED: Cullen lounge bar expansion
In January, we revealed Seafield Arms Hotel planned to expand amid continued business growth.
The four-star hotel’s Bar 19, which is an informal bistro, has proven to be a hit with customers.
Owner Charles Milne previously told the Press and Journal he wanted to increase seating to 52 in the bar.
Mr Milne revealed how more capacity was needed as trade continued to surge.
In March, planning chiefs approved the proposals.
They said the changes would not have a detrimental impact on the character or architectural interest of the listed building.
This week, building standard officers have given the go-ahead for work to start on the bar extension.
According to the approved building warrant, work will cost around £41,526.
What is the history of the building?
The Seafield Arms Hotel was built in 1822, designed by local architect William Robertson.
In the past, the building was renowned as a popular coaching inn.
In 2014, businessman Charles Milne purchased the hotel for around £250,000 with the vision to transform the A-listed building into a boutique hotel.
The building had lain empty since 2011.
Around two years later, the proposals to breathe new life into the hotel were approved.
Since then, it has been successful and more than £3 million of investment has been ploughed into the business.
SUBMITTED: Car park for new bistro at Coleburn Distillery as part of whisky resort vision
At the turn of the year, we visited Coleburn Distillery, south of Elgin, as they revealed exclusively to us how their ambitious vision to create a whisky resort was becoming a reality.
This was after years of work behind the scenes.
In January, we revealed planning chiefs had approved a building warrant for work to go-ahead to turn a unused piggery building into a bistro.
There will be seating inside and outside.
This will be the first part of the hospitality at the whisky resort.
What is the latest?
Now D&M Winchester Limited have submitted plans for a new car park to support the new bistro.
Around 59 parking spaces are proposed.
Meanwhile, a five year landscape maintenance plan has been drawn up which will include soft landscape tree, shrub and hedge planting.
Farningham Planning Limited is representing them.
APPROVED: End of the Jailhouse, Newmarket bar and Junners buildings on the horizon
This week, building standard chiefs have given Robertson Property the go-ahead to demolish the iconic Jailhouse nightclub, Newmarket Bar, and Junners buildings.
A property at 53-55 South Street occupied by Elgin Furniture & Carpet Centre will also be torn down.
It’s all to make way for a new South Street redevelopment.
According to the approved building warrant, it will cost around £477,000 to knock them all down.
All that will be left is a C-listed archway at the entrance to the former toy shop Junners.
What is Elgin’s ‘Junners and Jailhouse’ redevelopment?
Last December, Moray Council, development partners Robertson Property Limited (RPL) and UHI Moray first revealed the plans.
The Moray Growth Deal is supporting elements of the project, while £18.3m Levelling Up Fund cash will also contribute to the redevelopments.
In May, councillors on the planning committee gave the development the go-ahead for a business hub, three retail units and 38 flats across five blocks and a courtyard.
Architects Oberlanders have been representing RPL.
Earlier this week, Robertson bosses exclusively revealed when demolition work will start.
APPROVED: Work can start to convert former Bank of Scotland branch
It’s been nearly eight years since the Bank of Scotland announced it was closing its branch in Fochabers, and the building has been empty ever since.
Earlier this year, planning permission was granted to incorporate the C-listed building into a neighbouring house.
Drawings showed the customer area of the former bank branch will become a lounge while the former office and maintenance room on the ground floor will be converted into a gym. Bedrooms will be on the upper floor.
Jemma Siddons’ plans, to create the seven-bedroom home also include demolishing an outbuilding, erecting an extension to the rear and removing a chimney.
Now a building warrant has been approved for the £142,000 worth of work.
CM Design have been representing her in the planning process.
Are you going to be submitting interesting plans? Get in touch at sean.mcangus@ajl.co.uk
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