
PLANS FOR A million-pound restoration project on the landmark Seafield Arms Hotel in Cullen will finally go ahead after planners gave the green-light to Buckie construction services firm MPD.
The firm revealed that years of disappointment in the Moray town would soon be over as plans are now in place to begin work on a £1.17million refurbishment.
Local businessman Charlie Milne purchased the building after it had lain derelict for years, prompting comments that it had gone from being a highly successful business to a blight on the community. There was a further setback in January when vandals struck at the building.
However, long term plans for the building have finally received the go-ahead by Moray Council with a social media announcement by MPD saying: “We received planning permission today from Moray Council for our plans for a 16-bedroom 4-star traditional mixed with urban boutique hotel and Bistro Bar.
“There will be a lounge bar and two dining rooms, three coach-house cottages and three new bungalows.
“The next step before work can begin is to obtain a building warrant from Moray Council – this is anticipated to take around five months.”
MPD added that the project costs will be £1.17million and that it would take around 20 months to complete – but added that this was one of the biggest investment projects in Cullen for several years.
MPD director Amanda Taylor said that the project had already received wide approval within the local community: “The residents have been desperate to get the hotel – it is the hub of the community in Cullen so they have been really keen for us to get it up and running again.
“It has always been a very good hotel and it was very disappointing that it shut down.”