Conservative politicians urge Aberdeenshire Council to ramp up support for a storm-damaged attraction
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Fraserburgh Heritage Centre had its roof blown off by Storm Arwen in November last year — one of the starkest images of the devastation caused by extreme weather across the north-east.
Its volunteer group are fundraising to replace the damaged contents — with cabinets alone estimated at around £70,000 but are still waiting for the local authority to replace the roof as the building’s owner.
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid and North East region MSP Liam Kerr visited the hub to survey the storm’s impact there, and called for Aberdeenshire Council to “get a move on” with repairs.
Mr Duguid said: "The repairs to the building will be covered by the council’s insurance policy, which should allow for a new roof to be built.
“Every month the museum stays closed is another month without income, and will also delay work on the interior and replacing the contents.
"Sadly, delays have meant that not all of the exhibits could be saved but the centre's directors and volunteers are keen to get to work returning the popular attraction to its former glory.
“We’re asking the council to get a move on with replacing the roof and getting the building wind and water as soon as possible, so that work on the interior can get started."
Mr Kerr said: “It’s a great shame the circumstances of this visit couldn’t be better.
“I’d like to highlight the efforts that this volunteer team have gone to in raising more than £10,000 to rebuild, so far.
“We know that Arwen caused devastation across the north east, and our councils were largely left to pick up the pieces.
“But the local authority needs to get the roof done urgently, for any of this effort to be worth their time.”
It's understood a planning application for change of design for the replacement roof, from barrel to pitch/peak, is with council officers.
