Planning in Moray: 39 affordable houses for Aberlour
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Planning permission has been granted for 39 affordable houses to be built at Aberlour.
But safety concerns were raised over the junction that connects the Speyview site to the A95 trunk road which runs between Moray and Aviemore.
Meanwhile some councillors felt the steep slope to the development would cause problems for pedestrians and cyclists.
The site lies to the south of the town at the top of the Dowans Brae.
Debate on the issue lasted for over an hour at today's meeting of Moray Council planning committee.
Donald Gatt (Keith and Cullen, Conservative) said it was a "nonsense” to think anyone would carry their shopping up the steep slope to the site.
Mark Macrae (Fochabers Lhanbryde, Conservative) called for Transport Scotland to extend the 30mph zone so it includes the junction.
He claimed the current 40mph limit made like a "race track".
Derek Ross (Speyside Glenlivet, Independent) stated the development was in the wrong place and there were inadequate links for people to access public transport.
He said: “To build on a site like this where people are totally dependent on the car is folly.
"There are problems with the gradient, the turn to access the site and with accessibility for people with mobility problems."
Councillor Ross, seconded by councillor Macrae, put forward a motion to reject the application submitted by Springfield Properties.
Theresa Coull (Keith and Cullen, SNP) tabled an amendment to approve the development.
She said: "Aberlour needs housing. Those in desperate need of a home won’t be worried about how far out it is from Aberlour.”
She was seconded by Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP).
Members voted by seven to five in favour.
Click HERE and go to pages 17-62 to view the full application.
Speyside Community Council lodged an objection to the development.
While supporting housing in the area, it feels there are inadequate travel routes for pedestrians and cyclists and a lack of safe crossings over the A95.
