In a statement to the "Leader" this week, the spokesman said: "Work will not begin until an agreement between Aberdeen Construction Group, Grampian Regional Council, and the Scottish Development Department has been signed. We hope this will be signed next week, as the agreement has been drawn up and exchanged," he added.
When Aberdeen Construction Group were asked to stop excavations on the site on September 1, the Scottish Development Department revealed at the time that final approval of the project was subject to the completion of design plans and a site investigation by the Department.
These requirements would now appear to have been fulfilled, and to the relief of many Portlethen residents, Aberdeen Construction Group, and other interested parties, work now seems set to proceed as before.

50 YEARS AGO
Friday October 2 1959

THE presence of mind of a 12 year-old Aberdeen schoolboy was a vital factor in preventing what might have been a serious accident at Downie Point, Stonehaven, on Monday.
The boy, George Thom, was climbing up the 80-foot cliff when he found he could go no further and was, in fact, slipping down. He did not panic, however, and wisely "stayed put" until help came.
George, who had cycled from Aberdeen for the day with a friend, Allan Ritchie (12), was climbing the cliff "for fun". Both boys had previously successfully negotiated another part of the cliff and had returned to the bottom to have another try. Allan, who led the way, was able to reach the top, but George was not so fortunate.
He got about 50 feet up and then found he could get no further. In danger of slipping, he remained where he was and called for help. Allan, who heard his cries and saw his predicament, went to the harbour to raise the alarm and then went on to the police station.
One of the first on the scene was a 25 year-old motor mechanic, Mr George Watt, who made his way to the foot of the cliff by the rocks. He afterwards told a reporter that when he got to the spot he saw the boy stuck on the cliff-face. He made two attempts to reach him, but his gym shoes kept slipping on the grass.
By this time the police were at the cliff-top with a rope. They lowered it to Mr Watt, who was then hoisted up to the boy. Both were then lowered safely back down.

100 YEARS AGO
Thursday September 30 1909

THE fancy dress carnival organised by the Premier Roller Skating Company last week was a great success both in regard to the number of competitors and the attendance of the general public.
The many varied costumes must have entailed considerable time and expense on the part of their wearers. In gliding round the hall they made a very pretty show, and their masked faces made the identification of the wearers rather difficult.
The whole audience were the judges, and the voting went in favour of Miss Bessie McLaren who looked very becoming as a Gay Gordon in a dress provided by Mr Sturrock Campbell, theatrical costumer, Edinburgh.