A keystone project in the Banff Townscape Heritage Initiative (BTHI) to transform one of the town's historic buildings has started.

With support from the Aberdeenshire Council-run Townscape Heritage Initiative, the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) has developed a restoration scheme for number two Old Castlegate.

The building in the town centre has lain vacant and derelict for more than 20 years and will now be transformed through sympathetic restoration, creating two private houses.

Work on the B-listed Georgian townhouse will take around nine months to complete before the houses are sold on the open market.

In addition to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, this project is grateful to Historic Scotland, The Pilgrim Trust, The Sainsbury’s Monument Trust, The Leche Trust, the Communities Landfill Tax, and Scottish Enterprise Grampian for financial support.

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NESPT Chairman councillor Marcus Humphrey said: "I am thrilled that so many funding agencies have agreed to become involved in the restoration of this unique part of Banff's heritage."

Banff and District councillor John Cox said: "The deteriorating condition of this prominent building has given cause for concern for many years.

"I am therefore pleased that building work, to be undertaken by a local contractor, has started on site.

"With the other projects being planned for Banff at the moment, we can look forward to seeing big improvements to the town."

As a charitable organisation with a focus on preserving the built heritage of Aberdeenshire, NESPT has been in operation since the 1980's, saving many of the North East's forgotten gems from the wrecking ball.

The Banff THI aims to regenerate the historic conservation core of Banff. Through support from the Heritage Lottery Fund as the primary funder, the Banff THI makes grants to address problem buildings within the town’s Conservation Area.

It encourages partnership working to carry out repairs and other works, thus improving the quality of life and the townscape for all those who live, work or visit there.

Other major projects included in the Banff THI include gap sites on Carmelite Street and Bridge Street and a derelict building at 6 Deveronside.

The works, which will be undertaken by a mix of private developers and housing cooperatives, will provide a housing and office/community space at Carmelite Street and housing at Deveronside.

A small grants scheme is also being run in tandem with these major projects, which offers assistance to owners of buildings within the THI area, for restoration and replacement of period features or architectural detail.

(GK/JM)