Developers behind plans for a multimillion-pound sports and community complex at Peterhead have given assurances that concerns about land ownership can be resolved.
Peterhead FC took the wraps off spectacular new designs for the town’s Lord Catto Park, home to Balmoor Stadium, at a packed public meeting on Tuesday evening.
The Scottish League Two side has been working on the £17million complex with consultancy firm PMR Leisure using suggestions and feedback from locals groups and secondary school pupils.
Project leaders say they now need public backing to help persuade Aberdeenshire Council to contribute towards the development.
There was widespread support from more than 100 people who attended this week’s presentation. But developers were challenged on concerns that part of the site at Catto Park is common good land, which belongs to the people of the town, not Aberdeenshire Council.
PMR director Penny Lochhead said a community company would be formed to progress the plan and explore funding.
“The people of Peterhead spoke out very loudly and honestly about this and they wanted this to be in the community hands, and that is the model we are taking forward,” she said.
She said the new company, which will be include members of the Balmoor working group, would own the building, but lease the land from the council.
Peterhead community councillor Bruce Buchan called for legally-binding paperwork to be drawn up to protect the development.
Ms Lochhead said this would be included as part of the lease agreement with the local authority. “No funder will fund this without a legally binding document,” she said.
Existing facilities at Balmoor Stadium, including the main stand, will be demolished to make way for the new development.