Aquarium's expansion project given permission

Image source, Aberdeenshire Council

Image caption, Macduff Aquarium may need to close for about a year while work is carried out

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

The 拢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.

Read more on stories from north east Scotland