Aberdeenshire Council has announced that eight more town centres across the region are to benefit from a health check to assess their strengths, vitality and viability, weaknesses and resilience.

Last year, the towns of Banchory, Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Huntly, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff and Macduff benefited from the process.

Now, Aboyne, Alford, Kemnay, Laurencekirk, Mintlaw, Oldmeldrum, Portlethen and Westhill will be analysed, while the previously health-checked towns will be reviewed once again.

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Regular health checks are used to inform development plans and decision-making on future planning applications, but they are also vital in monitoring a town centre's performance which is helpful for determining future investment.

Aberdeenshire Council's Planning Information and Delivery Team alongside on-site assessment will survey public opinions on a wide range of themes which will provide an insight into the economic, social and environmental factors which play such a critical part in the vitality of town centres.

The engagement enables residents, businesses and community partners to directly comment on a number of aspects of their town centres which builds up a clear picture of the health of a particular town to complement the survey work that will be undertaken by officers.