Detailed plans are being drawn up to transform Count Dracula's north-east home into a series of holiday flats.

Talks are under way to finalise a fresh application to revamp the spectacular clifftop ruins of Slains Castle, near Cruden Bay.

Edinburgh-based Slains Partnership has already won outline planning permission for its £6m plan to convert the 16th-century fortress into 35 timeshare-style apartments, despite scores of objections from nearby residents and others who wanted the ruin to be kept as it is.

Developers will be meeting with architects in the coming weeks to finish off their plans, which are expected to have details of how they envisage the castle will look once it has had its make-over. They hope to submit their bid for full planning permission to Aberdeenshire Council before the end of the year.

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Last year, Historic Scotland was urged to put pressure on the development team to restore the ruin as closely as possible to its former glory. The fortress, which was built in 1597, is said to have inspired author Bram Stoker while he was researching his horror classic during a holiday to the north-east.

The architect behind the development, Douglas Forrest of Acanthus, said: "Work has already started on the new plans and it's going well. Members of the Slains Partnership will be coming up to the north-east to discuss them further."

He said the group intends to restore the castle to the way it was during its prime. The plans were originally unveiled four years ago and debate amongst objectors and supporters raged for months. While some wanted the ruins to be retained, it was argued that if they were left alone, they could soon crumble down the cliffs and into the sea.

(GK/JM)