A HUGE new hotel, shopping and garden centre complex is set to be built in Fraserburgh, it was revealed today.

Aberdeenshire councillors have agreed to the £10 million plan which is hoped to signal the rebirth of Fraserburgh.

The South Harbour Road development includes a 25,000sq ft retail unit, a 40-room hotel and a 10,000sq ft garden centre.

And the complex will create around 100 new jobs for the area.

Edinburgh developer Esk Properties received strong backing from l councillors in the Banff and Buchan area committee.

Fraserburgh Community Council also supported the new complex.

However, council planners had expressed concerns over siting the development away from the “fragile” town centre.

But most members of the council’s infrastructure services committee disagreed with the officials.

Several councillors said the plans could signal a new beginning for the town.

Banff and District independent councillor John Cox said: “This is the rebirth of Fraserburgh – that’s the message we want to send out to the community.”

Committee chairman Peter Argyle said the development would encourage more people to stay in Fraserburgh to do their shopping, rather than travel further afield.

He said: “Fraserburgh is a very nice town. It’s got a lot going for it.”

And Fraserburgh Community Council member Alistair Melville said he was delighted that the infrastructure committee “had finally seen some sense”.

arennie@ajl.co.uk