The building of a new community and sports centre in Mintlaw looks set to become a reality, following the allocation of £800,000 funding from Aberdeenshire Council.

Councillors at the Policy & Resources Committee have agreed to allocate the planning gain funds to the Mintlaw and Central Buchan Initiative (MACBI).

The funds will be paid upfront to MACBI as part of the planning agreement between the community group and Aberdeenshire Council.

The new facility will include a sports hall, meeting room, soft play facility and fitness studio.

A further £200,000 has been pledged from the council’s Funding Towns and Villages fund.

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The cost of the new development is expected to be £2m.

It is hoped that work could begin on site in April this year, with the facility expected to be open by early 2014.

Committee chair, Cllr Jim Gifford, said: "This is great news for the whole community as this significant allocation of funds will allow work to start on a facility that the community craves.

"This project will provide great facilities at the heart of Central Buchan, and we are delighted to provide additional support to allow MACBI to move forward.

"The new facility will be at the heart of Mintlaw and surrounding areas, and we are pleased that alongside our funding partners, we are able to make the plans a reality."

Committee vice-chair, Cllr Martin Kitts-Hayes, added: "This is a significant allocation of funds and demonstrates the council’s commitment to helping community projects get off the ground.

"The plans will provide a place for the whole community to interact and make great use of the many facilities that are planned."

(IT)