A crematorium could be built in the Buchan area to help fund a new strategy group, it has emerged.
Peterhead Projects Ltd, which was officially launched last week with the ambitious aim of regenerating the local economy, has approached Aberdeenshire Council with a view to building a funeral parlour in the area.
The new group is drawing up a business plan to determine how much money could be made from the scheme.
The project is one of several potential money-spinners proposed by the community-led company.
Members are also considering raising cash by building wind and marine turbines.
They could also make money from their Buchan Eco-woods project, which involves selling trees to companies, groups and individuals who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
As part of the project, trees would be sold to visitors, residents and members of the business community.
The group hopes that eventually there will be enough trees planted to create a woodland area, which could also be used to make profits.
Peterhead Projects believes the trees project could generate an annual turnover of £70,000, with yearly costs of under £8,000.
Peterhead Projects has been established to look at ways of improving the local economy and making the area more attractive to visitors and businesses.
One of its first projects will be a radical revamp of the town’s under-used Lido.
Derek Jennings, a director of the group, said: “For the first two years we receive core funding from Aberdeenshire Council, but after that we need to generate income through social enterprises.
“We need to ensure that the company is self-sufficient and be able to plough profits into the community.”
He added: “We have registered an interest with Aberdeenshire Council about establishing a crematorium in the north-east. We will have to make out a business plan, working out the cost of the build and how much to charge for the service.”
Mr Jennings stressed the scheme was at a “suggestions and ideas” stage.
The council has already identified a need for opening the region’s first crematorium. Of the 2,748 funerals held at the facility in Aberdeen last year, 756 involved people from outwith the city. Over the past few years, around a third were from Aberdeenshire.
For more information on the group visit www.peterheadprojects.co.uk
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