North-east councillors are set to consider plans for a major supply base at a Buchan airstrip.
Aberdeen-based Independent Oilfield Service (IOS) wants to upgrade its pipeyard at Longside Airfield to a fully-fledged offshore supply base.
It would have several large warehouses, separate office buildings and space for outside storage.
Ellon-based Taylor Design Services, which is acting as agent for IOS, said: “The core of their business is providing an ad-hoc maintenance and refurbishing service for pipework associated with the oil and gas industry.
“Although the business was originally set up on the south of Aberdeen, there has always been an acknowledgement that a quality maintenance facility could set them apart from their competitors, specifically looking to further establish themselves within the Peterhead area – making the Longside Airfield site a very attractive logistical solution.”
IOS’s development of the site, three miles west of Peterhead, has been gradual and the firm has submitted a number of applications over the past two years to steadily increase the size of the pipe storage yard. It is understood the firm initially looked at sites in neighbouring Peterhead, but could not find one large enough for the development.
Now members of the Buchan area committee are set to consider three comprehensive planning applications for the base when they meet on Tuesday morning.
Senior planners from the local authority have recommended councillors give their conditional approval to the plans, and refer the ultimate decision to the infrastructure committee.