An application by Aberdeenshire Council to secure £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund for development work at Haddo Country Park has received unanimous support from Formartine area councillors.

During their most recent area committee meeting councillors voted to support the application, which would be lodged with the Heritage Lottery Fund at the end of the month.

The lottery application seeks to secure the cash to fund an on-going development and restoration programme at Haddo Country Park in a bid to enhance its reputation as a premier visitor attraction in the north-east.

Aberdeenshire council has earmarked £500,000 for the project, which will be delivered over the next five years.

-- Advertisement --

The objectives of the development and restoration programme include: restoration of the designed landscape, structures, statuary and other features; improved interpretative and educational facilities and opportunities; upgrading and relocation of play areas and improved access and integrated signage.

The development project has been costed at just under £2m, £490,000 of which will be met by the council over the next five years. Additional funding will also be sought from external bodies including the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland.

Leader of the council, Anne Robertson, said she was delighted with the response from her fellow councillors and praised the work which has already been carried out at Haddo Country Park.

"There is no doubt that a rejuvenated Haddo would have the potential to make a significant contribution to the tourism portfolio of the north-east," she said.

"I very much welcome the support given by the committee for the Heritage Lottery Fund application and praise those who have worked so hard at Haddo Country Park in maintaining it as one of our most popular tourist venues."

Plans to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund will now go before the Policy and Resources committee later this month.

(GK/JM)