This is the third set of plans which has been intended to transform the former Royal Bank of Scotland building.

The previous applications attempted to secure permission to convert the building into eateries.

The building, located on the town’s High Street, has been unoccupied since RBS withdrew from several rural banking branches in the summer of 2018, The Press and Journal reports.

The first application was withdrawn and the cafe plans were approved but were never acted upon. Since then, businessman Eddie Morrison of Morrison Motors Turriff has submitted the plans to change the property into flats.

Mr Morrison’s agent, Michael Ritchie of Mantell Ritchie, said: “We can confirm the proposals are to convert the former Royal Bank of Scotland building to two ground floor flats.”

David Duguid, Banff and Buchan MP, said: “The former RBS in Turriff has been lying empty for a year and a half now. I think any proposal to bring the building back into use should be welcomed. There may be differing views in the local community about what that use should be, but most people would agree we don’t want long-term vacant units on the High Street.

“It will be up to councillors to scrutinise these plans and make a decision on the application in due course.”