Fraserburgh has two conservation areas.

• Broadsea (2010)
• Fraserburgh Town Centre (2015)

Conservation areas are defined as areas of special architectural or historic interest.  They are the most significant, historic and attractive settlements in our region and so should be cared for by this and future generations to enjoy.

Designation is the formal process of establishing a new conservation but is it only the starting point of the council’s role in managing the new heritage asset. First, we carry out a conservation area appraisal to identify the character of the conservation area and justify the designation. The next step is to create a conservation area management plan. This is to fulfil our duties under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997, to review the conservation areas and their boundaries and formulate and publish proposals for their preservation and enhancement. It also provides the opportunity to extend the controls in the form of Article 4 Directions to statutory undertakers and the local authority to bring their obligations in line with homeowners.

We have around 40 conservation areas in Aberdeenshire. They vary in character from central Stonehaven to the small coastal settlement of Pennan. They include.

• The centres of our historic villages and towns
• Fishing and coastal villages
• Estate villages and planned towns

Information and assistance on what living in a conservation area means but also helpful technical advice on how to look after your building can be found at the following links.

Conservation areas – Aberdeenshire Council

Living in a Conservation Area | Historic Environment Scotland

Publications | Leading Public Body for Scotland’s Historic Environment

The Engine Shed | Scotland’s Dedicated Building Conservation Centre