PUBLIC CONSULTATION OVER a development partnership between Moray Council and Springfield Properties will begin next week.
Two potential options are being proposed for the Waulkmill area of Elgin that seek to address problems affecting local residents and also provide improved areas of open space in the area.
There is also a low-density residential development being proposed on an area of land that is currently occupied by a playpark.
A barrier towards redevelopment of the area was removed when Moray Councillors agreed to the revocation of a Tree Preservation Order on Waulkmill Grove. Now the local authority is stressing that there is no planning application as yet, and that a consultation period will be undertaken to allow residents to raise any issues they have over developments in the area.
Public consultations will run from March 18 until May 2 – the closing date for representations which will close at 5pm that day. All comments will then be reported to a meeting of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee on June 14, when a report will be submitted for consideration.
During the consultation plans and a 3-D image will be available showing the options for redevelopment – these can be viewed via the Moray Council website.
Comments can be submitted via email to localdevelopmentplan@moray.gov.uk or in writing to The Moray Council, Local Development Plan, Development Services, PO Box 6760, Elgin IV30 9BX
Key Elements of the Proposals:
- Clearfell the Scots Pine and replant with more native species that are suitable for this location. The felling of trees will be timed to avoid the breeding bird season.
- Low density residential development backing onto existing properties at Barlink Road.
- Two options have been suggested for the rectangular area of open space at Waulkmill Grove.Both options would provide paths across the site which would be lined with smaller species of trees, with avenue tree planting along Reiket Lane.
- While one proposed option will see the removal of the playpark, there are two playparks within the immediate vicinity of Waulkmill Grove that are located at McBeath Avenue and Reynolds Crescent.
- The remaining areas of open space would be protected from further development and would retain their environmental status in the Moray Local development Plan 2015.