Councillors were yesterday told that there was still a “long way” to go in the local authority’s regeneration vision for the north-east.
The towns of Banff, Fraserburgh, Macduff and Peterhead have been the focus of a regeneration scheme for the last year as efforts ramp up to transform the communities into vibrant places to live and work.
But at Banff and Buchan area committee yesterday, councillors from the ports hit out at a lack of communication from the council to residents about the projects taking place on their doorsteps.
The authority’s regeneration boss, Christine Webster, had earlier said that a repair fiasco at Banff Harbour had delayed efforts in pushing the scheme forward.
The jetty at the marina collapsed in the summer and then fell away again during repairs.
Converting the harbour into a place visitors want to spend time has been a flagship policy for the regeneration service.
And yesterday, Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping slammed the lack of information provided to the public about the on-going work.
“It really concerns me,” he said.
“To not be able to get even a simple statement out about work is very disappointing.
“Things are moving ahead, but people aren’t aware of what the council is doing or the grants it has provided.
“We’re doing a lot of work and spending a lot of money – it is important that we do get that communication sorted out.”
Mr Topping added it that it was also important that property owners also do their part to prevent buildings from falling into disrepair.
Concerns about seagulls were also raised during the meeting.
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council, however, said it was unable to move on any live birds.
“There’s still a long way to go in terms of the five-year plan,” she added.
“The communities in Banff and Macduff won’t see the benefits of regeneration now as they will in a year or five years’ time.”
