Proposals to create a new eco-friendly farm shop and visitor centre in the north-east have been unveiled.
Fraserburgh-based Colaren Farms want to create a business as popular as Formartine’s, near Tarves, and have now lodged plans with Aberdeenshire Council.
Its proposals for land west of Little Burnthill, near the town, include an eco-friendly farm shop, cafe, visitor information centre for tourists and a children’s play area.
In a supporting statement submitted alongside the application, a spokesman for the farm said: “The farm shop will sell locally produced food and drink as well as crafts and other gifts to showcase the best of what the Banff and Buchan area has to offer.”
He added that there will also be an area dedicated to promoting sights and activities in the local area, including the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh, as well as historic castles, fishing villages, wildlife tourism, boat tours, fishing and golf courses in the area.
Last night, Gary Purves, the firm’s land manager, said: “The applicant is not aware of any existing like-for-like farm shop businesses in the local area.
“The nearest would be Formartine’s, near Tarves, which is a similar concept to what the developer wants to do here in Fraserburgh.”
He added: “The applicant’s hope is that the farm shop will encourage more people to visit Fraserburgh and the surrounding area which will have a positive knock-on effect for tourism and local businesses.
“An example of this would be for the farm shop to become a staple part on North East 250 route. There would also be jobs created in terms of the construction and running of the facility which I think would be good news for the area.”
The design of the building is said to have been influenced by agricultural buildings in the local area, and the facility will make use of an existing biomass heating boiler in order to reduce CO2 emissions.
