Forming part of the Masterplan for the town's development, the works include the creation of 51 new Langstane homes at a cost of £6million.

Praising the achievements so far on the Broch sites, FDT chairman Ian Watson OBE told the Herald: "I welcome the recent information on progress to-date on the Masterplan for Fraserburgh.

"The Development Trust have been represented at meetings on all the latest updates and future plans. We are encouraged as a trust with the possibilities for the future and hope to continue to work with all the partners involved."

In a statement, Aberdeenshire Council highlighted the progress which has been made in recent months to improve the environment of the town for its residents and visitors, and outlined the timescale for the completion of the work.

The authority said: "The new year is well and truly underway, coinciding with a new beginning for parts of Fraserburgh on completion of some of the town's regeneration projects.

"Work to stabilise and protect the foreshore at Kinnaird Head is now complete and the new housing development at nearby Denmark Street is on schedule to finish in June.

"The development comprises 51 houses, built by Langstane Housing Association with funding from the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council at an estimated cost of £6million.

"The homes include 13 shared equity houses to get people on the property ladder.



"It is still very much a construction site however, and will be for a couple of months, so the coastal path remains blocked off for safety reasons meantime."

The council confirmed that equipment intended for use at a play park adjacent to the development remains in storage until the area is suitable for children to play in.

The site has been grass seeded, but it may need to be looked at again in the spring, when any remaining landscaping will also be completed.

And the former scrapyard site at Seaview is expected to be improved and landscaped prior to tenants moving into nearby Denmark Street.

Langstane Housing Association chief executive Alan Grant said: "We are very proud to contribute to the implementation of the Fraserburgh Masterplan. The homes we are providing at Denmark Street are highly energy efficient, with Warmcell insulation to a very high standard.

"They will be set within Homezones, giving the residents a safe environment, and they will enhance the attractiveness of this once derelict area, as well as helping to meet real housing need in the town."

The formation of a historical coastal footpath linking the new development with another at Marconi Road, finished by Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership last year, is also complete.

Now known as Westshore Gardens, the houses-for-let were all occupied by the beginning of December and strong interest has been shown in the Scottish Government's shared-equity LIFT scheme for the remainder. A number of sales are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Comments from new tenants have been very positive, particularly about the interiors of the houses, their spaciousness and gardens.

Completion of the path, the coastal protection and the Westshore Gardens development marks the end of phase 1 of the Fraserburgh Masterplan, in line with the original timescale set out in 2004.

As well as contributing funding, Aberdeenshire Council has also provided project management and specialist engineering expertise to the Masterplan project through its Housing and Social Work and Transportation and Infrastructure services.

Chairman of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Peter Argyle, said: "We're starting to look at how we can best accomplish the next stage in the Masterplan but this will be quite difficult given tighter public funds and a depressed property development market.
"However, there is a lot of private sector interest in Fraserburgh and that's a healthy sign.

For example, the development at the site of the old Watermill Hotel was an achievement by the Masterplan team which secured funding to clear the site and enabled it to be offered for development.

"On what was a derelict site, attractive new houses have been built by a private developer, including a number of affordable homes. If funding had not been found, it probably would not have been viable as a land deal, showing that regeneration isn't always about large-scale projects."
Chairman of the council's Social Work and Housing Committee, Gurudeo Saluja, said: "The projects have proceeded pretty much to plan which means 2010 will be the year when Phase 1 of the Fraserburgh Masterplan is delivered and the northern part of the town is transformed.

"Phase two will very much be about encouraging the involvement of the private sector, using Fairney Business Park to help grow and diversify the local economy and encouraging new development in other parts of Kinnaird Head."

The overall revitalisation of the North Fraserburgh area promises to yield significant social and economic gains.

The plan involves several inter-linked investment and initiative strategies to enhance the area from social, environmental and commercial perspectives.

These include a major shop enhancement scheme and the formation of a new independent community organisation to succeed the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership in Fraserburgh.

Centred upon the removal of redundant buildings and the provision of modern housing in an agreeable environment, the scheme could ultimately yield up to £50million of public and private investment.

It is transforming the northern part of the town and has already provided a boost to the local construction industry and jobs market.

It is also markedly enhancing the environment around the town's nationally-renowned Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.

The regeneration scheme has come to represent a great example of partnership work in action and is delivering in a demonstrable way.
All partners, in tandem with the many local stakeholders who have engaged with the initiative, remain committed to helping usher in a new era for the port.