Aberdeenshire Council is proposing to designate the village of Auchenblae as a Conservation Area.

The Environment Team is now in the early stages of the designation process and has been gathering information about the historical development of the village, taking photographs and compiling it into a draft conservation Area Appraisal, which is due to be published for public consultation towards the end of the summer/early autumn.

Around this time, a public meeting will be held to discuss the proposals and to gauge public interest and support.

The purpose of the Conservation Area Appraisal document is to explain the purpose and justification for the designation, to identify and evaluate the architectural and historic interest of the village with a view to its future management and enhancement and to seek the views of the Auchenblae community.

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Aberdeenshire Council's Head of Service for Planning and Building Standards, Robert Gray said: "Auchenblae has a fascinating history and already comprises 72 listed buildings. Should the proposal be successful, Conservation Area status would mean areas between these buildings; open spaces, streets and trees would be given additional protection under planning legislation.

"Conservation Area status is a positive step towards an area’s protection, enhancement and management of future development."

If designated, Auchenblae would be the sixth conservation area in Kincardine & Mearns alongside Johnshaven, Catterline, Stonehaven, Muchalls and Fettercairn.

Tarland, in the Marr area, is also a proposed Conservation Area and the Council will be consulting on the proposal at the end of the summer.

(JP/CD)