A new multi-million pound community sports facility is to be built in Aberdeenshire following approval from the council.

Councillors agreed to include the Hill of Banchory project in the council’s Capital Plan at a meeting on 17 January.

Project partners North Banchory Company (NBC) and Bandswim welcomed the news.

The facility will feature a six-lane swimming pool with extended dry sports facilities, replacing the existing pool and sports hall at Banchory Academy.

Building work on the project is expected to begin in 2016.

Councillor for Banchory and Mid-Deeside, Jill Webster said: "Today’s decision is fantastic news for residents of Banchory and we are delighted to be working in partnership with North Banchory Company and Bandswim to bring enhanced sports facilities to the town. This has been long awaited and this decision will, at long last, enable the project to be delivered."

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The news follows a long-running campaign by local communities around Banchory.

NBC’s Managing Director, Alexander Burnett, commented: "After so much work in getting this project to fruition, we thoroughly welcome the council's decision. North Banchory Company, which is part of Leys Estate, has invested much in the Hill of Banchory over the years and the recently commissioned biomass district heating system was designed specifically to include the swimming pool and centre. The news today, that these facilities will progress, supports both renewable energy targets and the rural economy in delivering a sustainable and healthy future for Banchory."

Henry Allen, Bandswim’s Chairman of Trustees commented: "This is a very exciting breakthrough. For the last two decades the communities around Banchory have fundraised and campaigned tirelessly to achieve a facility centred around a properly sized and accessible swimming pool."

(IT)