Plans to construct world class sports, leisure and community facilities in Banff and Macduff continue to move forward.

The last in a series of engagement events with residents has now been held and marks the end of a six-month consultation process.

At the meeting, council officials agreed to take on board further feedback concerning parking, cycling and disabled facilities, but rejected a bid to start the process again and locate all facilities onto one site. The altered plans, which would see the purpose-built facility at Banff Academy, in Macduff at Myrus and the Arts Centre, will now be considered by Councillors in the new year.

The plans at Banff Academy include an all-weather running track with a grassed area able to accommodate a range of outdoor sports. They also include an outside all-weather synthetic pitch with new changing facilities as well as improvements to the existing tennis courts.

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The Deveron Centre plans, at Banff Academy, include a sports hall, a squash facility, fitness suite, dance studio, community room and new café and sitting area all on the ground floor. The first floor includes a youth room, meeting room, community and playgroup rooms, a kitchen and viewing areas over the sports facilities.

The plans for Macduff could include a new synthetic all-weather pitch, an improved grass pitch, a three-court sports pavilion and community room at Myrus. There would also be significant improvements to the Macduff Arts Centre, which would be able to accommodate music recording as well as providing a performance and theatre area.

Councillor Jim Gifford, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said: "Both towns have been waiting for these facilities for a long time and I'm delighted that we've now reached this important milestone in the project.

"Such an extensive consultation also means that we have a very clear steer from the community of what they want to see and we are determined to deliver that for them.

"These facilities are state of the art and will be the envy of other towns across Aberdeenshire and the rest of the country. I now look forward to scrutinising the details further alongside my Councillor colleagues."

Following the formal consultation process, the Council could progress to a major planning application in February 2014.

(JP/IT)