Banff and Buchan MP meets with Levelling Up Minister to discuss £20 million regeneration bid
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DAVID Duguid, MP for Banff and Buchan, has met with the UK Government Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison, to discuss a regeneration bid for the region.
A decision on the ambitious £20 million bid, which was submitted in August, is expected by the end of the year.
Plans aimed at renovating and extending Macduff Marine Aquarium as well as proposals to develop a cultural quarter in Peterhead were discussed.
The aquarium proposals could see a two-storey extension, a new café-restaurant, an education suite and a community space built at the site.
The project, estimated to cost £5.7 million , would also see an external revamp of the building, a new children's play area and path links along the coastline.
Mr Duguid described the meeting as positive and encouraged residents to come forward with ideas for the future bids.
“It was great to discuss and reflect on the Banff and Buchan bid with Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison," he said.
“If successful, the bid would provide an exciting opportunity to maximise the potential of places such as Peterhead and Macduff while helping to bring forward investment that will benefit communities for years to come.
“During the meeting, we also spoke about how to involve communities more and I encourage anyone who has any ideas for our area’s future to please come forward.”
In Peterhead, £18 million would be invested in total in the creation of a new 'cultural quarter'.
It is hoped that the project will revitalise the heart of Peterhead by transforming the disused Arbuthnot House into a new destination museum, library and cultural hub.
The Levelling Up Fund operates on a competitive basis.
The bid is being assessed by the UK Government with a final decision expected by the end of the year.
