Residents turned out in force to view a proposed vision for the development of an Aberdeenshire town yesterday.
Stonehaven Town Hall held an exhibition and a public meeting for locals to discuss developments for a thriving tourist spot near the beach front.
The proposed site for the vision is around the site of the recreation centre, neighbouring the open air pool.
The area currently has a caravan park, a bowling club, bowling greens, a putting green and a tennis court.
Earlier this year, Stewart Milne proposed a supermarket, petrol station and 400 homes at the Mains of Cowie, which was selected by local councillors for developments in the town.
However, Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure service committee refused to include the scheme in the new local development plan due to the lack of public support.
Yesterday, Stonehaven Town Partnership (STP) brought forth their alternative ideas for a Stonehaven development as a “Plan B” to the failed proposals.
Their vision included a park over the current open air pool car park, with parking spaces available on the caravan site and mixed retail units.
The proposed developments could see the beach front revamped and potentially upgraded to include further shops, hotels and possibly a supermarket.
STP chairman, Douglas Samways, said: “We need to plan for the future of Stonehaven. I’m glad there’s so many people coming and expressing their views because we want people to tell us what they want, what they have to help us out and to improve things.
“I can’t stress enough this is just a vision, if people tell us they want nothing changed in that part of Stonehaven then we will respond to that and do everything we can. This is just the start.
“This was just an open meeting. We will take on board what people say.
“We have put forward this proposal, we have clearly started a conversation and that’s what we want, we want feedback from the people, because it can’t stand still.”
Stonehaven locals have long been calling on a larger supermarket for years, with many claiming the Co-operative holds a local monopoly in the town.
Mr Samways added: “People are also telling us that they want something to compete with the Co-op . People are paying more for their groceries than they should. We could create competition for that.”
Local man, Mike McGill, 78, said: “We were worried about the proposals for the indoor bowling club. But I would say we need a supermarket.”