Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) approved the plans to convert the office block off Dalfaber Drive into 20 social rental flats with a mixture of one and two bedroom properties. A new block will also be built, consisting of four cottage flats.

Speaking at the CNPA planning committee meeting in Ballater on Friday, head of planning and communities, Gavin Miles, recommended the application for approval.

He said: “The proposed development will provide essential affordable housing in a central location in Aviemore and is a positive re-use of a vacant building.”

Planning committee convener Eleanor Mackintosh added: “The planning committee were delighted to grant planning permission for these 24 affordable housing units in Aviemore. It was the critical need for affordable housing in Aviemore and the fact that the owner has marketed the building for business uses without success over a period of years that outweighed the committee’s concerns about loss of business land. We look forward to the properties being let and remind local people looking for affordable housing anywhere in Badenoch and Strathspey to put their names onto the Highland Housing Register.”