Aberdeenshire Council is looking at renovating a dilapidated north-east street where the “quality of life” is falling.
In a new report to councillors, infrastructure chief, Stephen Archer, said that Bridge Street in Banff town centre was in desperate need of improvement.
Banff was highlighted in the authority’s regeneration strategy along with neighbouring communities Macduff, Fraserburgh and Peterhead as the towns most in need of investment.
And now, in his report to members of the local area committee, Mr Archer has said: “As a typical regional town, Banff, despite a steadily growing population, has a town centre showing symptoms of decline.”
Mr Archer agreed that Bridge Street had “contributed positively to the town’s character” but aded thatbusy traffic along the narrow lane had caused conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
He said: “This has reduced the quality of life for many of those who live on, and use Bridge Street who are experiencing an increasingly poor streetscape environment.”
Councillors will now be asked to back plans for a formal appraisal to identify alternative uses for the numerous vacant properties in the area.
Members of the area committee are also expected to ask local authority officers for options on how to improve council land on Bridge Street when they meet in the nearby council chamber to discuss the report on Tuesday morning.
Mr Archer adds: “The options appraisal and identification of improvements to the Bridge Street area will assist in identifying viable uses and improvements to the Bridge Street area in Banff.
“This will aid the redevelopment of the area to the benefit of residents and visitors to the town centre and assist in the delivery of an identified action within the Four Towns’ report which recommended Bridge Street as a priority project.”
It is understood the preparation of an options appraisal would cost between £20,000 and £30,000 over the next two financial years.
The SNP-led administration has made regeneration a priority since they took over last year and has earmarked £5million for a regeneration reserve in their 2016/17 budget which is expected to be agreed today.