AN ATTEMPT TO find common ground among the warring factions in the Findhorn Bay Wildfowling row is to be made at a meeting on Monday.
Chaired by Councillor John Cowe, representatives from a number of interested groups will meet to see if a compromise can be found that will end the issue before it is next discussed by the economic development and infrastructure committee that Councillor Cowe chairs.
When last aired in the Council chamber, a compromise was put forward by local councillor Anne Skene. At that time councillors postponed any decision to allow the different parties to discuss that and other options.
Since then, however, the factions in support of wildfowling continuing and those wishing an outright ban appear to have grown further apart with angry social media exchanges that even involved police investigating a bomb threat.
Moray Council is understandably keen for a compromise to be found as the costs of introducing a new bye-law and enforcing an outright ban would be prohibitive.
There is also the fact that the local community appears to be split down the middle over the issue, with many pointing to the economic benefits the activity brings to the area, put at around £150,000 by pro-wildfowling campaigners.
Those wishing to see an end to wildfowling are equally determined, insisting that the proximity of the shoot to residents outweighs any economic benefit.
Monday’s discussion, which will also involve a number of local groups and individuals, is likely to focus on Councillor Skene’s suggestion that the existing voluntary zone where shooting is not allowed could be extended in the area of most concern in the south-east close to Kinloss.