Around 50 locals turned up and not one sounded support for the plans which see Fraserburgh miss out on being placed in one of the proposed Strategic Growth Areas, known as corridors.

Independent Councillor Ian Tait has so far been outspoken over his opposition to the plans as he feels Fraserburgh is "losing out big time."

Robert Gray, the Head of Planning at Aberdeenshire Council has said that all concerns expressed at the meeting will be taken into account and reported back.

Councillor Tait, who was the only councillor in attendance at the meeting, branded the plans a "disaster" adding that he was "opposed as much as possible to the plans" and demanded that the corridors were either extended to include Fraserburgh or removed all together.

He also informed the group that of the consultations taking place only three would take place outside of the corridors marked on the maps and only one councillor on the committee who would vote on the plans would be from outside these areas in Banff Councillor John Cox.

Members of the Harbour Board in attendance at the meeting were unimpressed by the proposal, not least so as the diagram used recognised Aberdeen and Peterhead as Ports, but Fraserburgh, Europe's biggest Shellfish Port, was not noted as a Port on the Key Diagram.

George Sutherland, Convenor of the Harbour Board, addressing the Council representative, said: "We need to drop the 'r' from draft to get what this is. What you have said is unacceptable to most of the people in this room."

George MacRae, the Harbour Board Clerk, was equally as outraged at the plans saying: "This vision is total rubbish.It's astonishing that they are producing a plan that has no reference to fishing.

"They have missed out a lot of significant stuff, it is total madness.
"They have to go back to basics, they don't have a clue.
"To have no indication of a port in Fraserburgh, but include Peterhead and Aberdeen, is a joke."

Robert Gray commented to the Herald:
"We have taken from the meeting that those attending wanted to see more investment and economic growth in the town with land being made available for employment and housing and improved links south towards Aberdeen.

"There was concern that Fraserburgh would be disadvantaged by the strategy in the draft plan and those concerns will be considered along with the other responses from the consultation and reported back to the Strategic Development Planning Authority after the consultation closes on 12 September 2008."

Any objections to the plan should be collected by September 12. to contact the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan Team phone 01224 628210; Fax 01224 640517; email team@aberdeencityandshire-sdpa.gov.uk; visit www.aberdeencityandshire-sdpa.gov.uk; or mail Archibald Simpson House, 27-29 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AA.