Aberdeenshire Council has unveiled plans to demolish parts of a derelict factory in a north-east town.
The local authority wants to tear down two vacant units in Fraserburgh’s Kessock Park industrial estate to provide modern facilities for businesses to move into.
The condition of the C-listed buildings was reviewed in 2013 and they were found to be “decaying”.
The boarded-up and abandoned buildings are opposite Fraserburgh’s main tourist attraction – its award winning beach esplanade.
It is hoped the new buildings will provide a space for start-up businesses.
If approved, the development would create about 22,000sq ft of new office and industrial space.
Last night, local councillor Charles Buchan described the regeneration of Fraserburgh’s economy as a priority.
He said: “It’s nice to see that things are finally moving forward with that site.
“We want our local start-ups to be able to start and stay in Fraserburgh, so the sooner that these units are built the better. This really is just another step in the way forward for the town.
“We actually get quite a lot of inquiries from people starting businesses about the availability of space, but they have nowhere to go. It’s good that we’ll now be able to say that at least a planning application is in for new space.”
Councillors have previously called for space on the Kessock industrial estate to be made available for new ventures.
Councillor Ian Tait said the area should now be used to help the town “diversify”.
“It’s a good site and it will provide more employment for small businesses,” he added.
“We simply do not have enough industrial and commercial land, and if we don’t get more then developers will simply not come.
“We really have to diversify our employment. We are so weak when we put everything on one or two sectors. Fishing will always be important here, but we should use Kessock for diversification.”
The Kessock Clinic, a drug support service, is currently based at the industrial estate. Its base was damaged following severe flooding in 2012.
NHS Grampian has already announced plans to move the service to new premises.