A planning hearing is to take place over proposals to redevelop a 200-year-old former icehouse in Moray.

The scheme would involve extending the structure at Portgordon on the shores of the Moray Firth to form a new coffee shop and staff accommodation.

While council officers had recommended the application to be refused, along with seven letters of objections, 48 letters of support were received with most of them from people living Portgordon.

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Officers had recommended refusal on the grounds that the proposed development was not among exceptions permitted within the coastal protection zone and was not considered appropriate in preserving the area's open coastal character. In addition, they believed the extension would have a detrimental impact on the icehouse's architectural and historic merits.

However, in lieu of the amount of support for the development, the council's planning and regulatory services committee voted in favour of adjourning consideration to a hearing, a date for which is still yet to be set.

(LM)