Two new streets in Peterhead are set to be named after female councillors who served the town back in the 1960s after officials backed the move.
Councillors are due to meet tomorrow (Wednesday) to vote on proposals that will immortalise former councillors Chris Tait and Elsie Newell
Planning officials on Aberdeenshire Council have recommended that the plan is backed by elected members on the Buchan Area Committee.
The new streets will be called Newell Lane – also in recognition of Mrs Newell’s husband, Raymond, who with his wife was described as “contributing greatly” to the town – and Chris Tait Walk.
The development is part of a £7.6million project on the site of a former nursing home, Craigewan, at King Street that will create 62 new homes, including a number for tenants with learning difficulties.
In his report, infrastructure boss Stephen Archer said that the living relatives of Mrs Tait and the Newell family had been contacted for their blessings.
Mrs Tait’s family was still being sought last night, but proposal was said to have “delighted” the Newell family.
Peterhead councillor Stephen Smith had previously suggested that the naming of the streets after two former female councillors would be fitting “given the dominance of local government by men these days”.
Yesterday, he added: “We’ve seen in the last few weeks moves to increase the representation of women at Cabinet level in Scotland, but local government still has some way to go. It’s important therefore that we remember those pioneers who led the way for women in public life, and who did things that would have been considered radical in their day.”
The Craigewan development is expected to be complete by autumn 2015.
The Scottish Government, Aberdeenshire Council and Sanctuary Housing have contributed to the plans which identifies high priority areas and the specific housing needs in the town.