Councillors have backed plans for a major retail park in Peterhead which could create more than 500 jobs.
A hotel, pub, shops, restaurants and a supermarket with a filling station have been proposed for the Buchan Gateway area on the outskirts of the town.
Yesterday members of the Buchan area committee threw their support behind the scheme.
Councillor Stephen Smith said: “I welcome anything that will bring more business and employment to Peterhead.
“I’m pleased the report includes restrictions on goods that can be sold at the site – that should go some way to protecting businesses already in the town centre.”
Mr Smith’s support was echoed by Councillor Alan Gardiner, who said the park would complement rather than detract from existing firms in Peterhead.
But Councillor Tom Malone – a vocal campaigner for the regeneration of the ailing shopping district of the port – voted against the application.
Voicing his concerns, he said: “I have a fundamentally different view from my colleagues. I think history has shown peripheral developments do not benefit town centres – they detract from them.
“This scheme contradicts some of our own research and I move to reject it.”
The multi-million-pound Buchan Gateway development will feature two massive warehouses measuring 40,000sqft and 50,000sqft for food and retail units.
B&Q and McDonald’s are already existing tenants at the site, off the A90 Peterhead to Aberdeen road, and will become part of a larger vision to hook shoppers at the town’s entrance.
A hotel and pub are to be situated at the north of the development by Peterhead bypass.
Up to 150 jobs will be created during the 30-40 week construction period.