A long-awaited business park which could create dozens of jobs in a Buchan village will now become a reality.
Northwoods Business Park, to be built on land on the edge of Mintlaw, overcame its final hurdle yesterday when it was given unanimous backing by Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee.
The scheme – which had already been backed by the Buchan area committee, will be built on land close to a nearby development by Colaren Homes, which has been a major supporter of the business park.
Robert Gray, the local authority’s head of planning, said it would provide much needed “employment land” for Mintlaw.
Councillor Jim Ingram, Central Buchan ward, said the scheme was largely popular in the village.
He said: “As a resident of Mintlaw as well as a ward councillor I would say that by and large the majority of people in the area are of supportive of this development going there.”
Fraserburgh-based Colaren hopes to create a new timber house-kit manufacturing facility at the site.
And the council is also eyeing up a site to open a new waste and housing depot.
Several smaller industrial units will also be established which will be rented out to businesses.
The developers confirmed construction could begin next year.
He said: “Obviously we are absolutely delighted at the committee’s decision, the next stage will be to start looking at detailed planning applications – it’s a great news story for Mintlaw.”
There were a small number of objections to the park, with opponents arguing the project would cause traffic problems in the area.
There were also concerns raised that the new jobs on the site would be given to staff relocating from the firms’ other sites.
Construction is expected to begin early next year with developers hopeful the site could be completed by the end of 2018.
