A north-east sea cadet troop has submitted plans to build a state-of-the-art base at an Aberdeenshire harbour.
Fraserburgh’s sea cadets have been raising money for more than a year to build a facility at Sandhaven which would allow the group to double its size.
About 30 children are currently on the cadets’ waiting list for membership, who are unable to join because of the organisation’s existing facilities at the port – which are just a shed and shipping container.
Commanding officer, Craig Trail, has said the group needs to raise about £300,000 to eventually build the new base.
But now, in advance of reaching that total, Old Deer firm Baxter Design has lodged a planning application with Aberdeenshire Council to have the building approved.
In a design statement submitted along with the scheme, a spokesman for the firm said the new two-and-a-half storey base would have room for a cafe – although funding for it had not yet been secured.
He added: The main brief from the Sea Cadets was to provide an attractive building to the wider communities that would be used by them as well, though a nautical theme would be preferred for some of the main features in the building.
“We therefore thought it important to have the main deck area as a tall central core to the building, reminiscent of a lighthouse or the bridge of a ship, standing prominently like a command centre above the two wings either side, which would be more reminiscent of traditional boatshed-type buildings.
“We believe the building will be well received within the local community, with its historic links, yet modern aesthetics, providing a safe and welcoming place for the local community to come and use.”
The project to create a new home for the sea cadets started in 2015, when the group agreed a 100-year lease for the land with the local harbour trust.
They will pay just £1 per year.
Anyone who can support the project should visit www.sea-cadets.org/fraserburgh
