Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0

The planning application, submitted by Moxon Architects and Ballater Royal Deeside Ltd, follows the Storm Frank floods in 2015, which led to serious damage in the village centre.

The village undertook a major public consultation process that eventually culminated in the production of the Ballater & Crathie Community Action Plan. The enhancement of the village greens was an important request of many of the locals taking part in that community engagement.

The design statement lodged with the council states: “The centre of Ballater is extremely important, not only for locals but also for the many visitors to the village. The greens provide some welcome open space, where people can sit and enjoy the ambience of Ballater and its spectacular backdrop amongst the hills of Royal Deeside.”

The planned works include new pathways, new bench seating, new planting zones, new heritage lighting, new shelter, new signage and renovation of the existing “Auld Mannies” hut.