Major plans for a new holiday park in rural Aberdeenshire have been backed by councillors.
Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee were asked to rule on proposals for a 200-acre park at Fisherie, near Turriff, when they met in Fraserburgh yesterday.
One committee member was so impressed by the application that he labelled it the “most exciting” one he had seen in his time as a councillor.
It is thought the site could host more than 130 static caravans and 37 log cabins and would offer guests a range of outdoor activities such as sailing, climbing and fishing.
The £5million project has been proposed by local businessman Stephen Donnelly, who believes it would help lure tourists into the area and boost the local economy, creating scores of jobs.
Council planners recommended the proposals for approval despite 25 letters of objection from locals.
Many of their concerns centred around the use of unclassified roads around the site by a large volume of traffic.
However, the council’s roads manager Alan Burns attempted to allay those fears by pointing out that only a 20yd stretch of unclassified road would be used before traffic joined the main A98 Fraserburgh to Fochabers road.
In an address to councillors Mr Donnelly said: “Most caravan parks in the north-east are out of date and do not meet the needs of the modern holidaymaker.
“Nowadays kids need more than just a swing or bucket and spade to keep them occupied and that is why I think this site is so important.
“A major holiday firm has already expressed an interest in advertising it in their brochure as they say there is nothing else like it in the area.”
Councillors were united in their support of the plans claiming that such a major investment would go far to boosting the local economy.
Fraserburgh councillor and committee vice-chairman, Brian Topping, said: “In my almost 30 years as a councillor I have to say this is one of the most exciting planning applications I have ever seen.
“Such investment is badly needed in the area and I am delighted to give the plans my support.”
While Troup member, Hamish Partridge, added: “For me the benefits to the area outweigh the concerns from locals which all appear to have been cleared up by officers. That is why I feel we should back these plans.”