Stirling Council last week gave the go-ahead for the refurbishment of an ancillary building at the hotel into a “wellness cottage” and the removal of an adjacent shed.

However, councillors agreed that the work can only take place if it protects the endangered bats believed to be living at the site.

A minimum of two artificial bat roost facilities have to be installed within the site boundary as one of the conditions of planning approval for the new wellness cottage.

The council said the conditions are necessary to “protect the biodiversity value of the site” and to “mitigate impacts for foraging and commuting bats”.

The Cromlix Hotel was acquired by Sir Andy and his partner Kim in 2013.