A public meeting over proposals to create a conservation area in Fraserburgh was held yesterday.
The project forms part of a wider regeneration effort in the region, driven by the local authority.
The public workshop with Aberdeenshire Council’s planning 04team ran throughout the afternoon at the Council Chamber in the town’s Saltoun Square.
Environment planner Shaun Norman said: “Previous consultations have been positive and the planning service expects a decision on the funding application in January 2015.
“The late sixteenth century Fraser’s Broch is the earliest of Scotland’s planned towns and the focus that this year’s Doors Open Day had on Fraserburgh and the surrounding area highlighted just how interesting many of the buildings and monuments in the area are.”
Banff and Buchan area committee chairman councillor John Cox said: “Fraserburgh was and remains a historic town of importance to the rest of the country but like many other coastal towns around Scotland, it’s in need of a lift.
“Formal recognition of the town centre’s heritage would help preserve the value of what is there and add to the sense of pride in those who work and live locally.”
A huge investigation of the coastal town’s historic buildings has been taking place over the last twelve months.
Funding applications have already been made to Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
If successful, town centre properties could be restored and training courses would be offered to businesses within the zone.
Meanwhile, a separate Fraserburgh community project narrowly missed out on clinching a national award on Tuesday night.
The Surf awards recognise efforts to regenerate and revitalise communities across Scotland, and Fraserburgh’s Super Saturday scheme was nominated in the town centre category.
The prize was, however, awarded to the Glengate Hall project in Kirriemuir. The winning scheme transformed a vacant church into nine affordable homes.