Plans to breathe new life into an Aberdeenshire farm site by turning it into a space for local communities have been approved.
The Huntly and District Development Trust (HDDT) has been given permission to transform Greenmyres Farm at Drumblade into community land and facilities.
The trust’s plans will include demolishing dilapidated farm buildings and erecting a multi-purpose, two-storey community facility.
The plan for the site is to create a vibrant space with potential for sports, health and well-being services – and even business space – powered by renewable energy.
It could also offer space for the Huntly Scouts or the local rifle club – who require space for outdoor training – whilst Techfest has also expressed interest in potentially running workshops there.
Within the building, there will be exhibition spaces, classrooms, meeting and changing rooms.
Donald Boyd, development manager of HDDT, said: “It is a 63-acre site which in itself offers so many opportunities in a place you probably wouldn’t expect at the top of the Glens of Foudland.
“It is not without challenges, getting the planning consent was hugely important for the facility. Its location is just off the A96, we are hoping to get in a separate foot and cycle path.
“There is just so many bits and pieces you can do there. I just know it is going to work.”
He added the development was about “creating opportunities” for the local community.
Mr Boyd said: “These opportunities can take many forms. The development of the community facilities is one example.
“Another is the financial opportunity for people, community groups and businesses to buy shares in the wind turbine to be installed on the site.”
Fiona Alderson, service manager at Huntly mental health charity Networks of Wellbeing, said the potential of the facilities is “boundless”.
Huntly councillor, Gwyneth Petrie, said it was “an exciting and innovative project”, adding: “The team behind it have worked very hard towards ensuring the project will be viable and far-reaching.”
The group acquired the farm site, four miles from Huntly, with help from the Scottish Land Fund.