Councillors are on a collision course with planners as controversial housing plans for Fraserburgh return to the table.
The Banff and Buchan area committee will be asked to agree proposals for the scheme at Merryhillock on Tuesday.
It comes three months after the group clashed with Aberdeenshire Council bosses over where the community funding from the development should be spent.
The Press and Journal revealed the planning department was considering pouring money into regenerating the beach front area of Fraserburgh.
However, councillors demanded that the contributions from the first phase of the 590-home project near Boothby Road be earmarked for two football pitches on the site itself, as had been discussed during a public consultation.
Planners appear to have rejected the committee’s request and on Tuesday the group will once again be asked to agree to the Merryhillock housing scheme – without the ring-fenced investment. they were seeking.
Last night Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping, who was part of angry exchanges during the May meeting, expressed frustration that the row was back to square one.
“I’m disappointed with how the whole thing has panned out,” he said. “One minute we’re told we’ll get two pitches, now we’re told that there won’t be enough money to build the pitches.
“I’m of the view it should clearly be used for providing football pitches in the future and I’m keen officers do all they can to find a solution.”
It is understood Mr Topping has met fellow Fraserburgh councillors to consider how to approach this latest hurdle.
A report to committee members from the local authority’s infrastructure boss Stephen Archer recommends that councillors retract their request for money to be earmarked for pitches.
Instead, it would be left to council officers to allocate the community contribution from Claymore Homes agreed as part of a Section 75 agreement.
The developer has offered an alternative to the financial contribution. Instead of a cash lump sum, Claymore Homes would simply give the council land on the Merryhillock site for sports facilities.
However, the land has not been valued and may be at risk of flooding, leading planners to suggest councillors turn down the offer.
The Banff and Buchan area committee will meet in Fraserburgh to discuss the plans.