Residents from one of Aberdeenshire’s most deprived areas have been invited to join a £5.8million scheme to regenerate their neighbourhood.
The Fraserburgh 2021 project – which aims to revitalise the town centre through a small grant scheme – will be officially launched next week by Aberdeenshire’s Provost Hamish Vernal.
The event will include a guided tour of the new conservation area by local and architectural experts and organisers are encouraging local people to take part.
As part of the project, work to redevelop the former council chambers in Saltoun Square and the neighbouring police station is due to begin this spring.
Project manager Ross McCleary said: “It’s extremely important that as many residents as possible attend the event to fully understand the opportunities the programme will create.
“For those in the conservation area itself there will be specialists on hand to answer questions and to provide information on grant funding for those who want to take advantage of the regeneration momentum.”
Fellow project leader Christine Pert said: “On completion this will bring many more people to the town centre – both employees and visitors alike.
“It will breathe new life into Saltoun Square, something much needed by the local business-people.”
And Aberdeenshire Council’s regeneration manager, Christine Webster, added: “There is no silver bullet when it comes to meaningful regeneration – it takes time, a lot of effort, imaginative collaboration and investment over a sustained period to reap the rewards.”
Over the next five years the regeneration drive in Fraserburgh, which includes some of Scotland’s most economically deprived areas, will refurbish historic buildings and encourage visitors to come into the town centre.
The £5.8million of funding available for the various schemes – including small grants open to local groups – is part of the national Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which focuses on restoring and improving towns.
The £1.8million redevelopment of Saltoun Square includes a controversial “rusted steel” extension to the rear of the former council chambers. The designs proved divisive when they were unveiled last year.
Provost Vernal will launch the Fraserburgh 2021 scheme at the town’s Dalrymple Hall on Saturday, March 11 at 9.30am.
