Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee this week considered plans for the Northwoods Eco Business Park on the northern boundary of Mintlaw.

The scheme includes land for a new council roads department and recycling centre as well as a new headquarters for applicants Colaren Homes.

The firm, which is currently based in Fraserburgh, is proposing to build a timber house-kit manufacturing facility at the Balring Road site – an operation which could create 10 new full-time staff.

Several smaller industrial units will also be made available for firms to rent. In total, as many as 70 people could be employed at the business park.

Addressing the committee at Buchan House in Peterhead, Colaren’s land manager, Gary Purves, said: “I think we have got unique circumstances for this development. The two end users – Aberdeenshire Council and Colaren Homes – have said Northwoods is the only suitable site.

“It’s good for Aberdeenshire Council, it has the potential to create jobs and is a significant investment in Mintlaw.”

The committee unanimously gave its backing to the scheme, which will now be referred to the local authority’s infrastructure committee for a final decision.