Planning in Moray: Bid rejected to build 15 parking bays in Hopeman
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Proposals to add 15 parking bays near Hopeman pavilion have been rejected at a meeting earlier today.
Moray Council submitted an application to its own planning committee to create the parking spaces at Cameron Park.
Planning officers recommended the application be approved as an acceptable departure from the local development plan.
But most of the committee's members felt that building parking bays so near the seafront would impact on the natural aspects of the area.
While planning applications can be submitted regardless of ownership, concerns were also raised that the land was a gift of trust to the people of Hopeman and not the council’s property.
The council received 18 objections to the parking bays from the public, in addition to a further three representations supporting them.
John Cowe (Heldon and Laich, Independent) read out a letter from Hopeman Community Association saying it couldn't back the proposal either way as there hadn't been enough time to properly consult the community
So far, the group's consultation had received 132 responses with opinion split.
However a total of 770 people were eligible to voice a view.
Cllr Cowe proposed a decision on the parking bays be deferred until the committee's next meeting so further discussions could be held with the community.
However officers advised him the application had been advertised for the statutory period of time, and that Hopeman residents had been given the opportunity to respond.
Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative) called for the application to be rejected, adding he shared concerns over the length of time community groups were given to consult and respond to planning applications.
He said: "I don’t think to defer would solve this. To me it’s not an acceptable departure."
The committee's chairman David Bremner (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, SNP) put forward an amendment for the parking to go ahead but was unable to get a seconder.
