A bizarre argument over street names in Fraserburgh has finally been put to rest after local councillors agreed a compromise deal.
The row began when the town’s community council put forward suggestions for street names at the new Kirkton Heights development.
It was suggested the roads be named after lighthouses, in light of the fact Scotland’s lighthouse museum is in Fraserburgh.
This idea proved popular on the community group’s social media page and pays tribute to the role the beacons have performed in saving the lives of seafarers throughout history.
However, both the developer, Colaren Homes, and local independent councillor, Ian Tait, objected to the notion and called for famous Fraserburgh figures to be honoured instead.
Now, councillors have eventually agreed on a compromise package of names which commemorate both local college principal Jim Crawford – who brought the former Banff and Buchan College to Fraserburgh – and the area’s lighthouse heritage.
At yesterday’s meeting of the Banff and Buchan area committee, the names agreed were Crawford Avenue, Bressay Lane, Cromarty Crescent, Kinnaird Head Gardens, Fair Isle Drive, Covesea Crescent and Rattray Head Walk.
The name Buchan Ness Avenue, designated after a beacon in nearby Peterhead, was dropped.
Colaren Homes hopes to build 600 houses on the site. In a report to the committee, roads engineer David Naismith said: “The first phase of the new Kirkton Heights housing development in Fraserburgh requires seven new street names.
“James Crawford was the first principal of the local college. Authorities had head-hunted him to be the first principal because he had shown himself to be an excellent choice to get a new college off the ground – it was originally planned to be sited in Peterhead.”
Mr Tait said: “I’m very happy Jim Crawford’s name has been included – he deserves very much to be honoured. He fought tooth and nail to get the college in Fraserburgh.”
Last night, a spokesman for Colaren Homes said the firm was delighted the issue had been resolved and would soon let clients know their new addresses.