A former supermarket in a north-east town once earmarked for demolition will become a place of worship.
Old Deer architects Baxter Design tabled proposals to convert Fraserburgh’s disused Co-op supermarket in Albert Street into a new church for the port’s Assembly of God in December.
The scheme has been approved and the former store will now increase in size to become the base for the church.
The development will include offices for the church’s media team and a cafe.
Separate senior and youth areas will also be provided.
The proposal was supported by 88 members of the community and there were no objections.
James Hendry, a member of the local community council, said: “At our last meeting we viewed this application for change of use and now feel that we can show our support for this, because regeneration of other parts of the town are as essential as the town centre.”
The 25,000sq ft store was left empty when the Co-operative Group decided to open a smaller unit in the town.
Plans were later submitted to build 30 houses on the site of the former shop, including six affordable properties but were withdrawn.
The housing scheme would have involved the demolition of the store building, which locals claim has become a roost for gulls.