A block of flats which has lain empty since a fatal fire last year are to be renovated.
Daniel Reid was living in the temporary council accommodation at Newton Drive, Macduff when the blaze broke out in September.
The ferocity of the fire – which is understood to have broken out in the bedroom of the top floor flat – later caused a section of the roof to cave in. The block has remained unoccupied since the incident.
Now councillors are expected agree a £100,000 deal to tear down the gable end of the block and make the building wind and water tight.
If members agree, the work to reinstate the property to a habitable condition will be put out to tender.
Aberdeenshire Council’s director of business services, Ritchie Johnson, said: “As a result of a fire substantial damage has occurred to the properties. The loss adjuster acting for the council’s insurers has requested that we make the structure secure.
“Approval is sought to proceed with the above works by acceptance of the most favourable quote received and approval of the advised project cost. The principal building surveyor has stated that the rates contained within the lowest quote are fair and
reasonable for the works specified.”
Mr Ritchie added that the local authority has a commitment to halving the amount of construction waste put into landfill under the Zero Waste Scotland scheme and that this will be followed by contractors.
The work to repair the property will be paid for out of the council’s capital budget with a contribution from insurers.
Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee are expected to back the deal when they meet in Fraserburgh on Tuesday.
More than 30 firefighters from across the north-east spent four hours bringing the blaze under control on the morning of September 9, 2015.
Mr Reid was pulled from the property by emergency crews but was declared dead at the scene.
