A crumbling hotel building that has been a Kinross-shire landmark for more than a century is facing the wrecking ball.
Plans were approved three years ago to restore and convert the old Lomond Country Inn, at the heart of conservation village Kinnesswood.
Annexe buildings and an extension have since been bulldozed, but the main hotel was largely untouched, prompting fears for its future.
Fife-based Lime Blue Design and Build has returned with fresh plans to demolish the building.
In papers lodged with Perth and Kinross Council, the company said replacing the hotel with housing will be a benefit to the “cultural identity” of the area.
A structural report ruled a refurbishment of the building, which closed its doors in 2012, was no longer an option.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Robertson, who has campaigned for the building to be kept, said latest plans for demolition was “the outcome many local people feared”.
He said: “This hotel enjoyed a very prominent situation on the Main Street of Kinnesswood. The wish of both Portmoak Community Council and residents were for the original hotel building to be retained, but the developer has always wanted to demolish it.
“Consent was given for housing on the site, with the condition that the hotel building be retained.
“However, the building has been allowed to fall into decay and even the roof slates have been removed,” he said. “This has taken away any protection this important building had from the elements.”
Mr Robertson said: “I have serious concerns about the lack of protection afforded to buildings like this.
“Despite the best efforts of council planners, councillors and local residents, this important building is now likely to be demolished.
“I think much stronger conditions have to be set to protect listed buildings like this. To get what they want all a developer has to do is allow the building to deteriorate and eventually it gets beyond economic repair or restoration.
“In this way, historic buildings which are valued within their communities are lost forever, and we are all the poorer for this being allowed to happen.”
No one at Lime Blue Design and Build, which won consent for the original conversion plan in October 2016, responded to requests for comment.
