Aberdeenshire Council has pledged it will deliver the best possible leisure and sporting facilities for Banff and Macduff.

The news comes as a deal to secure and bring a major supermarket to the area closes and follows more than a decade of discussion between Aberdeenshire Council, Tesco and the town's Princess Royal Sports and Community Trust.

On Monday, the council's Leader and Chief Executive said they remain fully committed to ensuring new facilities are created to help match the needs of the local community.

Tesco wants to construct a new supermarket at Canal Park, which is located on Common Good Land, but under the deal it will have to fund replacement facilities for those lost as a result of the development.

Plans were revealed a number of years ago, for a multi-million pound Better Life Centre at Canal Park, as well as new sporting facilities. Since then, housing and other developments have changed the town’s demographics, but the need for replacement, state-of-the-art sporting and leisure facilities remains.

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Aberdeenshire Council Leader, Councillor Jim Gifford, said: "We have no intention of walking away from our commitment to people in Banff and Macduff to provide excellent and appropriate facilities for sport and recreation.

"The discussions and negotiations have admittedly been lengthy, and every effort has been made to resolve the complex issues surrounding a project of this scale.

"This is an exciting time and we are keen to see the work done so far translated into development on the ground – we are completely committed to seeing this project come to fruition.

"As such, we will immediately seek the views of local people, groups and organisations in both towns on what would best meet their needs and where, then expedite the process to deliver that to them."

It is understood Aberdeenshire Council Chief Executive Colin Mackenzie has written to the Banff Princess Royal Trust to confirm the Tesco deal is nearing completion and the process to identify the most appropriate leisure and recreational facilities, and where, will begin with the local community.

An engagement event is being arranged for next month to allow the local community to give their views on what they want to see.

Further details of the engagement event, including confirmation of the date, time and location, will be revealed in due course.

(JP/IT)