Plans to redevelop a historic Aberdeenshire railway station, which was ravaged by fire last year, have overcome another hurdle.
Aberdeenshire Council yesterday welcomed plans to tender for the redevelopment of Ballater’s Royal Station, which was destroyed in a huge blaze last May.
A year on from that conflagration, the local authority lodged proposals to restore the cherished building, with links to Queen Victoria, back to its former glory.
And councillors have now approved the next phase of the project, allowing the ball to start rolling on planning applications and consultation with communities.
Under the council’s plans, the station would be redeveloped as a community facility forming part of a village square.
There would also be a new exhibition space extending along the old platform, a VisitScotland information centre, a public library and a restaurant.
The plans were lodged with the Cairngorm National Park Authority in May.
Yesterday, councillors also agreed to begin the tendering process to secure a contractor to undertake the works.
The local authority is also looking to improve pedestrian and cycle routes through the town along with the development.
Yesterday Aberdeenshire provost, Hamish Vernal, said: “Ballater Station is of great importance to our communities and visitors to the region, as well as at a national historical level.
“I am delighted to see the very positive steps being taken to rebuild this important facility and to see the very welcome approach of working in partnership with VisitScotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Historic Environment Scotland and the people of Ballater.”
It is hoped the Royal Station could reopen in December 2017.
