Councillors have paved the way for a major offshore supply base to be built at a north-east airfield.
This morning members of the Buchan area committee unanimously agreed three linked planning applications which would allow Aberdeen-based Independent Oilfield Service (IOS) to revamp the site.
The existing pipeyard would be expanded with several large warehouses, separate office buildings and space for outside storage.
Members of the committee heralded the proposal as a boost for the Buchan economy.
Councillor Alan Gardiner said: “Longside Airfield is an area that should have been developed before now. With the downturn in the oil industry this can only be a good thing for Peterhead and the surrounding area.
“There’s been a lot of work done behind the scenes by this committee about bringing jobs to the area.
“The challenges of the oil industry in Aberdeen is an opportunity to attract businesses to the area who can save money. We are open for business.”
Mr Gardiner added: “There’s a big workforce of experienced people in the north-east who can take up these jobs.”
And councillor Jim Ingram said: “I welcome the development, especilly if it brings jobs and prosperity to the area.”
Before this morning’s meeting at Buchan House in Peterhead, council planning officers revised their report, removing the need for the application to be referred to the local authority’s infrastructure committee.
This allowed members to formally grant planning permission today.
IOS’s development of the site, three miles west of Peterhead, has been gradual and the firm has submitted a number of applications over the past two years to steadily increase the size of the pipe storage yard.
It is understood that the firm initially looked at sites in neighbouring Peterhead, but could not find one large enough for the development.