A jobs boost is in the pipeline for Buchan’s biggest village after plans for a new business park were unveiled.
Designs for the site near Balring Road in Mintlaw – which would also include a household waste recycling centre – will go on display to the public tomorrow.
The exhibition in the village’s Macbi Centre is being hosted by consultants Knight Frank.
Last night, the firm’s senior planner, Gary Purves, said: “As part of the wider masterplan for Mintlaw there is already housing being built by Colaren Homes to the north of the village.
“We have decided to bring forward the proposed business park development due to demand in Mintlaw for commercial premises.
“By investing in the village we believe there is an opportunity to create employment opportunities and to create a vibrant business hub, in line with the growth of the village.”
Mr Purves added that the firm “value the input” of the Mintlaw community.
The proposals are in a pre-application stage,
and feedback from Thursday’s exhibition will be included when a formal planning application is submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.
Several hundred homes are currently under construction in Mintlaw, and there have been repeated calls for new business units to provide jobs to incoming residents.
Councillors were forced to reject plans for a similarly-sized business park at Nether Aden Road – on the south side of the village – last year because developer Bancon failed to submit a masterplan.
Local member Jim Ingram said yesterday: “There is a need for local jobs in the area. There are a lot of houses going up and being proposed, and I’m sympathetic to these proposals without having seen the details.
“I’ve got an open mind, without prejudging it.”
Councillor Ingram added that the village was in desperate need of a recycling centre.
The blueprints, drawn up by architects Baxter Design on behalf of the developer of the Northwoods Business Park, will show office accommodation as well as industrial units and yards.