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consortium submits detailed blueprint for £3m site at Crimond

A fresh set of plans have been unveiled in the race to build Aberdeenshire’s first crematorium.

An outline proposal for the £3million scheme at Crimond, between Peterhead and Fraserburgh, was backed by councillors in December.

Now project leaders have unveiled detailed plans, including an artists’ impression, which will be tabled with Aberdeenshire Council in the coming weeks.

It follows talks between local authority officials and the business consortium behind the scheme.

The Crimond proposal is one of three bids to open the north-east’s first crematorium with the aim of reducing pressure on existing facilities at Aberdeen, Buckie and Arbroath.

A multimillion-pound scheme earmarked for West Knock, Mintlaw, has been proposed by Peterhead funeral director Robert Mackie. An application for full planning permission has already been lodged and is likely to be brought before councillors in the coming weeks.

Peterhead Projects, a community group set up to look at ways of boosting the economy, was first to announce plans for a crematorium somewhere in Buchan.

However, its scheme has failed to get off the starting block. Unveiling the new Crimond plans, landowner Alex Cowie said the surrounding area had been a major influence on the design. He said the building would be insulated with locally-supplied straw bales and the roof would be finished with a turf blanket.

Edinburgh-based architect David Gauld added: “Every effort has been made throughout the design process to make this facility as visually sympathetic to its surroundings as possible.

“Following a positive meeting with Aberdeenshire Council’s design panel we will now be able to progress our plans with a view to submitting them for final approval in the coming weeks.”

The scheme, proposed for land at Hillhead Road, would feature two cremators, a chapel with capacity for 300, a garden of remembrance and a 180-bay car park.

About 20 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with five full-time staff employed on completion.