CAMPAIGNERS IN LOSSIEMOUTH will not have their day at Moray Council this afternoon to explain why they are opposed to two cul-de-sacs in the town being used as main access routes to a new housing development.
For over a year the Stop B.A.D. Access Group have been battling against development proposals that would see Boyd Anderson Drive being linked with a development of over 250 homes via Fisher Place and Halliman Way.
A 400-signature petition was raised when residents learned that developers wished to set aside provision in the Moray Development Plan for access to the new site, which would be via new link roads from the A941 Elgin/Lossiemouth road and B9135 RAF Lossiemouth to Elgin route.
Instead, plans were to be put before councillors at a hearing today (Thursday) that provided for an access from the B9135 plus the opening of Fisher Place and Halliman Way to link the site with Boyd Anderson Drive.
Many of the 60 objectors to the scheme were due to make representations to councillors – however, last night they all received calls from Moray Council saying that the meeting had been deferred after the Ministry of Defence, who had originally made no comment on the proposals, said that they wished time to study the plans.
Speaking on behalf of the action group last night Robert Murdoch said: “We are disappointed because it prolongs the aggravation and many people had carefully prepared their submissions.
“It is, however, important that new housing in the vicinity of RAF Lossiemouth is safeguarded for future owners. The developers did attempt to get Moray Council not to included consultations with Ministry of Defence on the Moray Local Plan – but the Council refused that.
“In an earlier submission Tulloch of Cummingston had said consultation with the MoD regarding noise issues was not required.”
Mr Murdoch added that there had been discussion over the proximity to the RAF Lossiemouth flight path, with suggestions that night flying at the base was ‘rare’ – however, the base is now home to the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert force making night flying a regular and unpredictable feature.
Moray Council said that all those who had lodged objections will be given the opportunity to speak when a new hearing date has been set.