A key north-east regeneration project has been delayed until the end of the year.
Plans to revamp Drummers Corner in Peterhead were unveiled by the council last autumn, and it was hoped the £250,000 upgrade would be completed by spring in plenty of time for Scottish Week.
But now it has emerged the project – which includes the installation of improved lighting, new seating, artwork and a bandstand-inspired shelter – will not be done until the end of the year.
It is understood the delay has been caused issues with the tendering process.
Independent councillor Stephen Calder raised the issue with regeneration executive Nick Brown at Buchan area committee yesterday.
He said the Drummers Corner regeneration had been held up for “too long” and asked for an update on its completion.
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Mr Calder said there is “cynicism and anger” over the proposed redevelopment scheme.
He said: “I know there are things in the pipeline but they have been stuck for too long.
“I’d like to ask for an update on the timeline of completion of this project because the last we heard publically it was going to be completed by Scottish Week.
“It is something the public are very concerned about just now. I’m aware of the cynicism and anger about it.
“We’ve been waiting for it to go ahead and now it is stuck in the pipeline.
“Is the timeline still for completion still going to be for Scottish Week this year? People really need to know.”
Committee chairman councillor Norman Smith said the timeline has recently been discussed by the Peterhead Development Partnership, the body overseeing the transformation of the town.
He said all of the councillors were “aware” of the frustration felt by people in the town and said they need to get their “act together” on the project.
Mr Smith said: “That was actually spoken about at the partnership meeting and we heard it wouldn’t be done for Scottish Week at the moment.
“But we will try and get it done by the end of the year in a phased manner.”
News of the delay has come just a day after a Peterhead businessman raised concerns about the Drummers Corner project.
Gilbert Burnett has branded the idea a “waste of money” and said his own online poll showed people were against it with 97% of people believing the money could be better spent.