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MORAY COUNCILS PRINCIPAL Planning Officer had been highlighting the importance of properly controlling areas where new housing developments are created.
The comments from Gary Templeton came ahead of the consultation tour of Moray being undertaken to gather and inform on the next Moray Development Plan.
On Wednesday from 2pm at the Fleming Hall in Aberlour, the first exhibition that will visit most communities in Moray takes place, highlighting the future development plans for the region. It is expected to deal with a period of growth for Moray with space for around 7000 new homes and around 100acres of business land having been identified.
“At the moment 350 houses are built in Moray every year,” Mr Templeton said, adding: “There is a big shortage of employment land, we need to allow space for existing firms to grow as well as attract others to Moray.”
The future plans are expected to be completed by 2020 and are intended to see Moray through until 2035. Mr Templeton said that it was important to control those locations that were to be developed.
He said: “Taking Rafford as an example, we have a site there for 10 accessible houses which has not come forward – whereas there has been in the countryside around it. It is not sustainable.
“If we can encourage development and control it in defined settlements then we can promote better design and reduce the impact on the environment.”
Leader of Moray Council, Councillor George Alexander, said that the Council was obliged to look at land that was being made available for housing and industrial purposes. He said: “It is not an easy task – which is why people should look at it themselves.”
The events are being held on:
Wednesday, January 17 from 2pm to 8pm in the Fleming Hall, Aberlour
Tuesday, January 23 from 2pm to 8pm in the Town Hall, Elgin
Wednesday, January 31 from 2pm to 8pm in the Fisherman’s Hall, Buckie
Tuesday, February 6 from 2pm to 8pm in the Fochabers Institute, Fochabers
Thursday, February 15 from 2pm to 8pm in the Town Hall, Lossiemouth
Wednesday, February 21 from 2pm to 8pm in the Mortlach Memorial Hall, Dufftown
Thursday, March 8 from 2pm to 8pm in the Town Hall, Forres
Tuesday, March 13 from 2pm to 8pm in the Longmore Hall, Keith
Sunday, March 17 from 9.30am to 4pm in St Giles Church, Elgin