PLANS TO DEMOLISH a landmark Moray hotel have been put on hold by the developers who only last week received planning permission.
The Lhanbryde community were shocked when members of the Moray Council planning and regulatory services committee voted to allow the Tennant Arms Hotel to be demolished to make way for a new store and car park.
That was despite dozens of objections – while a meeting earlier this week saw further protests over the plans. Local councillors Sean Morton and Douglas Ross both spoke out strongly against the development – with the latter the only member of the planning committee to vote against the proposal at a special meeting last Friday.
It has emerged, however, that developer Tahir Pervaiz has had a change of heart after noting the “absolute passion” shown by the local community to retain the building.
Following a meeting this week with an agent representing Mr Pervaiz, Councillor Morton said: “I am happy to say that local residents and I have sat down with the agent for the developer of The Tennant Arms and I can report that they now intend to save the old building.
“The developer has seen the absolute passion this community has for the local landmark and has promised to work with the community to present a new proposal that will keep the original building.
“Of course, we can’t let our guard down until we’ve seen that work with the community and we’ve seen the new plans. There’s a long way to go to deal with road safety and there are worries that will need to be addressed throughout the consultation with local residents.
“But the village can breathe a sigh of relief that the developer no longer plans to demolish part of Lhanbryde’s history. That is most certainly welcome news for all of us. Lhanbryde should be proud.”