There has been a fierce backlash from independent councillors to “monstrous” multimillion-pound proposals to regenerate the heart of a north-east port.
Troup councillor Hamish Partridge and Fraserburgh member Ian Tait have both criticised ambitious designs to transform Fraserburgh’s Town House.
This week, the community was awarded a £1.8million Heritage Lottery grant, the final piece in a funding jigsaw worth £5.7million for regeneration schemes.
Work will soon begin on what has been dubbed the Fraserburgh 2021 scheme, which will include a refurbishment of the Town House in Saltoun Square and the former police station at Kirk Brae.
The 19th century Town House will be restored and combined with the neighbouring police office, with an extension – including meeting rooms – for council and public use at the rear.
But although councillors Tait and Partridge both heralded the grant funding in principle, both have attacked the spending plans.
Last night Mr Tait said: “I’m going to do everything I can to stop that monstrosity going up in our town centre.”
The independent councillor is calling for the planning application for the renovation work to be withdrawn.
He added: “What’s annoying is that councillors did not approve this, yet it’s going ahead. It’s not what I want to see in our town centre – to have £5.7million spent in Fraserburgh, and to have it polluted by rusted steel. I can’t actually find the words to describe it appropriately.”
Former SNP councillor Partridge – who broke away from Aberdeenshire’s Partnership administration last month – echoed Mr Tait’s concerns.
He said: “My question is – is it the best place to spend that significant amount of money?
“It is an important building and I accept we need to improve it to make it fit for purpose.”
He added that there were other areas of the town where the money would be better spent to see “economic benefits”.
Earlier this week David Aitchison, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure committee, described the grant as a “great vote of confidence for Fraserburgh businesses and communities”.
And fellow SNP councillor Charles Buchan added he was “delighted” that the final piece of funding was in place.