Plans have been unveiled to convert a vacant north-east hotel into a restaurant and flats.
The Station Hotel in Hatton sits alongside the A90 Peterhead to Aberdeen road and had been operating as takeaway until 2016.
The five bedroom guesthouse features a commercial kitchen, cellars and owners accommodation, which has lain empty for the last five years.
The premises were put up for sale by the previous owner and purchased by Ellon-based developers Andrew and Laurence Davidson in the summer.
Now they have revealed they want to bring it back to life by opening a small diner and the creating four flats.
The restaurant would have seating for 40 people and there would be a waiting area for take-away food.
It would serve different kinds of food and drinks and would expect to attract customers like those travelling between Aberdeen and Peterhead, parents with children and tourists.
The developers believe the idea is viable and have said they spoke to people using the main road and found that many would welcome the re-opening of a cafe at the premises.
The four flats, spread over each floor of the building, would range from two and three-bedrooms.
The developers are also hoping to upgrade the car park and install signage on the A90, although that would be subject to approval from Transport Scotland and the council.
A supporting statement sent to Aberdeenshire Council planners on behalf of the developers said running it as a hotel was “no longer viable.”
It states: “Given that these rooms are of a size and layout to preclude the reasonable installation of individual en-suites and are served from a single integral stair with central access through the middle of the property, the continued successful use of a traditional five bedroom unit served by only one bathroom is no longer viable in this location.”
Aberdeenshire Council will consider the plans later this year.
