A campaign to prevent rusted steel being used to clad the exterior of a north-east landmark is gathering pace.
Fraserburgh councillor Ian Tait is against plans for the cladding at the back of the town’s former police station on Kirk Brae, arguing it would be a “scar” on the face of the community.
And last night, his campaign gained traction when he began appealing for support in having the design – which has been approved without going to area committee for a decision already – pulled and reevaluated.
“Fraserburgh town centre is designated a conservation area and I would have thought that alone should have brought the application to elected members,” he said.
“Also, this is a development of major significance for the town and yet it was not brought to members for planning permission. I expressed concern from the start about the rusted cladding and that also should have triggered the matter coming to elected members.
“Officers have said that none of these is on the list of exceptions and therefore there was no requirement for them to bring it to elected members.”
Mr Tait is now suggesting that the decision to approve the designs are “invalid” and is writing to councillors across Aberdeenshire to gather support.
He said: “The application must come back to the area committee for consideration again.
“If this happens I will move that the rusted steel cladding is not granted permission.”
The scheme to bring the former police station back into use is part of a wider £5.7million regeneration drive in Fraserburgh.
It is hoped the project will also resurrect the former John Trails newsagent building in the port’s Mid Street, which has been left abandoned since a blaze in 2009.
Council area manager Margaret-Jane Cardno has said the authority’s handling of the proposal has been above board.
“Other than a minor concern about the capacity of the actual chamber, up until this point no concerns were expressed about the design, the materials, or the proposal,” she said.
“In fact, the area committee proactively welcomed the renovations and improvements.
“The correct process has been followed to reach this point, where substantial funding is in place, plans are approved and work is due to start.”
