Moray Council turns down Rothes restaurant proposal due to flooding fears
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A proposal to turn an antiques shop in Rothes into a takeaway/restaurant and housing has been refused due to concerns about flooding.
Members of Moray Council's local review body voted to reject a change of use for The Rothes Emporium on 9 New Street.
The decision only came after a lengthy debate earlier today.
Little concern was expressed over the business side of the application, but worries were voiced that lives could be put at risk.
Both the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and the council’s flood team objected as the area is said be at risk from what's known as 'a once in 200-year event'.
However councillor Paul McBail (Forres, Conservative) stated that he "struggled" with this when £25million has been spent in Rothes on a flood alleviation scheme.
He said: "During the flood event in August 2014 it prevented 200 properties from flooding, avoiding damages of £6.5 million. So it’s working.
"They’re not changing the footprint of the building, so there’s not going to be more water dispersed."
Councillor McBain proposed the application be approved.
This was seconded by committee chairman Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative).
He said: "It’s bringing into question all the flood schemes in Moray including the £86million Elgin one.
"Is there no confidence in them? And why did we spend the money on the flood schemes in the first place?"
Cllr Macrae felt the reasons behind the recommendation to refuse were not based on scientific fact but "what ifs or maybes".
However cllr Draeyk van der Horn (Forres, Green) disagreed.
He said: "We’re talking about risks that have been identified by agencies we work with in the council."
Cllr Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) told yesterday's meeting that she was the head teacher of Rothes Primary School when a major flood hit the town.
She said: "I had to close the school. And I had to watch as that street – on which this premises is – closed from top to bottom.
"There was total breakdown of the electricity network and the collapse of roads."
Rothes' £25 million flood alleviation scheme, which was commissioned by Moray Council, is only designed to protect against a once in 100-year event.
As well as a takeaway/restaurant the application involved creating a first floor flat and two houses.
It was turned down by four votes to two, with one abstention.
