A MORAY COMMUNITY is set to challenge what they insist was a wrong decision by Council planners and fight to save a landmark building.
A public meeting has been called in Lhanbryde on Monday where a decision to allow the former Tennant Arms Hotel building to be demolished will be discussed.
Councillors at a special meeting of the planning committee last week agreed to a request that the building be removed to make way for a new Co-Operative store and car park – despite strong opposition from the local community, including all three councillors in the Fochabers/Lhanbryde ward.
Only Tory councillor Douglas Ross voted against the plan at a meeting where around 120 objections were recorded – Councillor Ross saying after the meeting: “It was clear local people were not against a new shop in the village, they just didn’t want it at this location, directly opposite the established and much appreciated shop and where traffic concerns have been highlighted for many years.
“All of the objectors mentioned the traffic problems and many highlighted that they were surprised that the transport department hadn’t recommended refusal of the application as the issues at this location are well known.”
Labour councillor Sean Morton, who will attend a meeting called for 7pm on Monday, December 5 at the Lhanbryde Community Centre, said: “People in this village are stunned that the council have given the go ahead to tear down the Tennant Arms. We will lose a treasured building and gain a Co-op Shop where nobody wants one.
“Residents have rightly called a public meeting next week and I urge everyone to go. We need all hands on deck to fight this vandalism.
“That’s why I’ve launched a petition – and I’ve gone straight to the top asking The Co-op to listen to Lhanbryde and build their store somewhere else. Their company is welcome in Lhanbryde but not if it means flattening The Tennant Arms.”
The petition is available online at https://www.change.org/p/the-co-op-save-the-tennant-arms.