Aquarium's expansion project given permission

Councillors have granted planning permission for the multi-million pound expansion of Macduff Aquarium.

The £5.7m plans include the creation of a new upper floor, a cafe-restaurant, and expanded exhibit space.

The project is funded from the UK government's levelling up fund.

The aquarium may need to close for about a year so that work can be carried out.

Council officials told a meeting on Tuesday that the plans would bring increased visitor numbers to the town and would "undoubtedly improve the facility".

Concerns were raised about the building being in an area ranked by Sepa as a medium coastal flood risk zone.

However, the plans were approved by Aberdeenshire Council's Banff and Buchan area committee - with conditions including the provision of sufficient parking.