St Machar Properties development on old Forres Tesco site is refused by Moray Council
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Planning permission has been refused for 48 affordable homes near the centre of Forres .
The 1.42 hectare brownfield site at Caroline Street has laid derelict for nearly two decades since Tesco moved across town.
However, Moray Council voted by a majority earlier today to reject a proposed development for housing – at least in its present form.
The argument against was led by councillors Sonya Warren (Buckie, SNP) and Frank Brown (Elgin North, Conservative).
Both pointed to lack of a play area for young children.
They also raised issues about a lack of car parking places.
Cllr Warren said: "I understand the need for adequate housing but any development needs to be safe and be of the appropriate quality."
By contrast, Aaron McLean (Forres, SNP) stated his belief that the developers had done their best with a "constrained site".
He added: "It's all affordable housing which is a good thing.
"Its location should reduce the need for car journeys.
"It's also very accessible for buses and trains as well.
"Meanwhile, Bogton Play Park is a short walk away."
Cllr McLean put forward a motion, seconded by cllr Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative), that planning permission be granted.
This was defeated by six votes to four, with two councillors abstaining.
Tesco left the site in 2002 but the supermarket building was not demolished until April 2014.
The site's original owner Redco Milne was unsuccessful in attempts to build a retail development there in 2015.
In 2016 it then lodged an application for 80 affordable housing units in three areas around Caroline Street.
However, this was not given permission either.
Today's application was brought forward by St Machar Properties, which is what Redco Milne changed its name to in 2019.
Its proposed development included one bedroom apartments, as well as three and four bedroom terraced houses.
It also had 81 car parking spaces.
Related article:
St Machar Properties propose development of 48 affordable homes at Caroline Street, Forres
