Plans to build scores of affordable homes are back on track after the crash of a construction firm left the project in limbo.
The £5.1million showpiece development in Fraserburgh was up in the air after Dundee-based Muirfield Contracts went into administration earlier this year.
Aberdeenshire Council launched a search for a new contractor to take on the job, and yesterday confirmed Robertson Construction will step in and finish the project.
A total of 30 low-energy homes are to be built in the Barrasgate area of the town as part of the council’s three-year vision to boost affordable housing numbers in the north-east.
Last night, community leaders hailed the news that the development would be finished after previously raising concerns the site would become a haunt for youths.
Ronnie McNab, the chairman of the town’s community council, described the project’s survival as a “win” for Fraserburgh at a time of great uncertainty.
“We have been pushing for this for a long time in the community council,” he said.
“Housing is vital in Fraserburgh and I’m glad that it’s finally going ahead. There’s a real need for homes across the area and this will be a real boost for everyone in the town.”
Fraserburgh councillor Charles Buchan added that he was “delighted” for prospective householders.
He said: “It was very disappointing to see the site sitting there idle, and it is great that terms have been agreed with Robertson’s to complete the £5million project.
“It is good that tenants, and prospective householders, are soon to get these longed for upgrades.”
The future of the project – and a similar one for 24 homes in Inverurie – was left hanging in the balance in March when Muirfield collapsed.
But within weeks, the council vowed to progress with plans and launched the search for a new contractor.
Work has already restarted in Martin Brae, Inverurie, with Banchory-based Bancon Homes stepping in.
And last night Allan Whyte, the council’s head of property, said his team had made a “real effort” to get the “early anticipated” Barrasgate development moving again.
“We have made a real effort to resume work as soon as possible,” he said.
“We made an early commitment to ensure none of our residents would be unduly affected by the Muirfield administration and have worked hard to ensure all of the planned work will now go ahead.
“We would like to thank council tenants for their patience while we worked through the issues caused by the Muirfield administration.”
The Barrasgate development was funded by £1.6million of Scottish Government funding and Aberdeenshire Council hopes it will “contribute significantly to the physical and social regeneration of Fraserburgh”.
The scheme was supported by a Scottish Government grant of £1.4million.
Local MP Eilidh Whiteford said: “This is very good news, and I am pleased that the development can now proceed.
“There is an urgent need for affordable housing in Fraserburgh and across the north-east, and I look forward to this project being completed as soon as possible so that these properties can help meet local demand.”
As well as the housing schemes, Muirfield had also been contracted to kit council houses across the north-east with new windows, doors, bathrooms and kitchens.
Elgin-based Robertson Construction will carry out the stalled improvements on kitchens and windows worth more than £2.3million, while Gloucester-based Mears Group will upgrade bathrooms and doors for a similar fee.
Aberdeen-based R Davidson will meanwhile carry out installation of energy efficient windows and doors for about £250,000.
It is expected that the improvement work will be completed by next spring.