It is a new beginning this month for parts of Fraserburgh on completion of some of the town's regeneration projects.

Work to stabilise and protect the foreshore at Kinnaird Head is now complete and the new housing development at nearby Denmark Street is on schedule to finish in June.

The development comprises 51 houses, built by Langstane Housing Association with funding from the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council at an estimated cost of £6 million.

The homes include 13 shared equity houses to get people on the property ladder.

Equipment intended for use at a play park adjacent to the development remains in storage until the area is suitable for children to play in.

The site has been grass seeded, but it may need to be looked at again in the spring, when any remaining landscaping will also be completed.

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And the former scrapyard site at Seaview is expected to be improved and landscaped prior to tenants moving into nearby Denmark Street.

Langstane Housing Association chief executive Alan Grant said: "We are very proud to contribute to the implementation of the Fraserburgh Masterplan.

"The homes we are providing at Denmark Street are highly energy efficient, with Warmcell insulation to a very high standard.

"They will be set within Homezones, giving the residents a safe environment, and they will enhance the attractiveness of this once derelict area, as well as helping to meet real housing need in the town."

The formation of a historical coastal footpath linking the new development with another at Marconi Road, finished by Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership last year, is also complete.

Now known as Westshore Gardens, the houses-for-let were all occupied by the beginning of December and strong interest has been shown in the Scottish Government’s shared-equity LIFT scheme for the remainder. A number of sales are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Chairman of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Peter Argyle, said: "We're starting to look at how we can best accomplish the next stage in the Masterplan but this will be quite difficult given tighter public funds and a depressed property development market.

"However, there is a lot of private sector interest in Fraserburgh and that's a healthy sign."

(GK/BMcC)