Soft play space included in bid for North-east community centre revamp

A North-east community centre could be turned into a retail and soft play space if new plans are approved.

A change of use planning application has been lodged for the Bridge Street Community Centre in Banff.

The proposals would see it transformed into a multi-use facility which would include a retail area, a soft play area for children and a cafe.

The bid has been submitted by the owner of The Spotty Bag Shop – also in Banff – and was lodged with Aberdeenshire Council this week.

The plans would see the community centre completely overhauled, with a suspended ceiling removed and a screen that separates the main hall from the rest of the centre would also be taken away.

A large retail area would take up the left-hand side of the centre, where the main hall currently stands, with stores and offices at the rear end of the area.

The remaining space to the right-hand side of the building is currently used as a cafeteria; this would be split to create a soft play area, with the remaining space, where the kitchen is, kept as a cafe.

What is currently used as a smaller hall area at the front of the centre will be turned into a play area for older children.

The existing snooker room will remain in place, with access from a hallway.

Banff is a regeneration priority for Aberdeenshire Council, which has proposed a complete renovation of the heart of the fishing town – one of four regeneration priority towns along with neighbour Macduff, Fraserburgh and Peterhead.

It was allocated £500,000 of Historic Environment Scotland cash under the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme in 2014 in a bid to breathe new life into Bridge Street and the surrounding area, which is to be used for projects in the area until 2019.

The plans have now been put out for public consultation prior to the council making its ruling.