40-bed student block near Forres will need transport links
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Travel links should be included if purpose-built student accommodation is built near Forres.
The lodging is part of a bigger plan to construct up to 180 homes at Dallas Dhu on Mannachie Road.
Speaking at Moray Council's planning committee meeting yesterday, Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP) "I welcome the addition of the student accommodation.
"What I would like to see is active travel arrangements."
Cllr Lawrence added that services needed to be in place so students can either access public transport or be bussed directly to their place of study.
Moray Council itself submitted a proposal of application notice (PAN) to the committee regarding the development.
As the proposal is for more than 50 houses it's considered a major development and therefore a PAN is now required by the planning process.
A previous notice went before councillors in August, but did not include the 40-bed student accommodation block.
At that time members raised concerns over road access and increased traffic in the area caused by the development.
Issues were also aired on the possibility of rural roads being used as rat runs.
In addition, there were calls for a cycle path along Mannachie Road.
Senior planning officer Andrew Miller told the committee that the new PAN would replace the previous one.
But concerns raised at the August meeting would be taken forward, along with comments on the student lodgings so they can be addressed before a full planning application is submitted.
Two public consultation events will be held in Forres Town Hall in January and February. But dates and times have yet to be decided.
Forres and Finderne community councils, local councillors, MSPs and Moray MP Douglas Ross will also be consulted.
The site is south of Forres to the east of Mannachie Road, with Dallas Dhu distillery to the south.
It is part of the £100million Moray Growth Deal, that will see more then 300 affordable homes built.
The deal aims to create 3500 jobs and attract 50,000 more tourists to the area through major investment.
Money has come from the UK and Scottish governments as well as the council.
