Aberdeenshire councillors have backed plans to transform the ailing fortunes of a north-east town by attracting more tourists to the area.
The local authority unveiled ambitious proposals at the Banff and Buchan area committee to convert derelict buildings in Banff into a silversmith workshop and a creative writing centre.
With £500,000 of Historic Environment Scotland cash secured through the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, the council is working with local groups to breathe new life into Bridge Street and surrounding area.
Environmental planner Ross Wilson told councillors yesterday that four projects had been identified – a creative writing centre, inspired by Lord Byron, at the former Tolbooth Hotel, a new home or shop in a listed building on Bridge Street, and the creation of a farmers market near Carmelite Street.
Proposals to create a silversmith workshop are also being progressed.
Last night, Banff councillor Michael Roy hailed the scheme as “imaginative” and “progressive”.
Mark Findlater, who represents the neighbouring port of Macduff, added: “It’s a great project for the twin towns of Macduff and Banff.”
However, concerns were raised about the speed with which the projects can be brought to fruition.
Aberdeenshire Council was awarded the regeneration money in early 2014 and has yet to spend any of it.
It now risks losing the cash unless the projects are completed by 2019.
Councillor Ian Gray said the time it would take to push through compulsory purchase orders for the properties the authority wants to use for its schemes could create further delays.
He added: “My only concern is that these properties are not going to be renovated by the owners.
Mr Wilson assured him that such orders would only be used as a “last resort”.
He insisted: “That’s just a risk we’re going to have to deal with.”
The total investment required to deliver all the projects is an estimated £1.1million, which would be a combination of the Cars cash and funding from other bodies, such as Aberdeenshire’s property investment fund, and the coastal communities scheme.
