The new owner of a prime site in Fraserburgh earmarked for redevelopment has pledged to give the town a boost.
George West Ltd has bought the five-acre stretch of land at South Harbour Road in the town, one of the last remaining industrial sites in the town.
The site has lain bare for years, despite Edinburgh-based Esk Properties having £10million plans for a hotel, garden centre and shops approved in 2008.
The firm crashed two years later, but councillors voted in 2013 to safeguard the proposals.
And last week, members of the business services committee decided the time was right to finally sell off the site and see it brought back to use.
Last night, George West vowed his own plans for the site would create a boost but admitted his vision was very different to Esk’s project.
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The businessman, whose firm is based in St Fergus, said his main focus was supporting Fraserburgh’s main industry.
He said: “We’re part of the fishing industry and know that there’s a desperate need for more training facilities and that was the whole point in us buying it.
“We were looking at building a training centre for fishing industry training, so that’s one of the things we’re aiming to get.
“We’ll see what happens to the rest.
“A few other businesses have been inquiring about some of the office spaces, about 50% of the plot has been asked for.
“It probably will be a multi-million pound development as the changes will cost a significant amount.”
Mr West said he hoped that the Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) works ongoing at the town’s harbour will also improve the town and make his recent purchase even more “worthwhile”.
The harbour is being used to build the construction of a new two-story facility on the quayside, and will be the principle port for the vessels requiring maintenance work throughout the windfarm.
Last night, Fraserburgh councillor Charles Buchan said he was pleased the site has good prospects once more.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted the site has been sold and it’s great it’s a local purchaser with plans that goes with the local industry.
“This type of development will bring employment, visitors and money into our town.”
Councillor Brian Topping was also “particularly pleased” Mr West’s hopes include a seafood element.
He added: “This is good news for the Broch. As chairman of the regeneration group for the town I’m keen to see opportunities like this developed so that local people benefit from increased employment opportunities.”
