Plans to build 48 homes in Forres approved by Scottish Government reporter after Moray Council rejection
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PLANS to build 48 new homes on the site of the old Tesco in Forres have been approved by a Scottish Government reporter.
The plans were originally brought forward by St Machar Properties – formerly Redco Milne – in 2020 and were rejected by councillors in Moray last August.
However, after a site visit in January, government reporter David Buylla said he was minded to grant permission subject to a legal agreement being reached.
On Tuesday, October 18, the final stamp of approval was given, meaning the building of the affordable homes – 29 houses and 19 flats – at the Caroline Street site can now begin.
Building must commence within three years, with installing play equipment at Bogton Road, which councillors called for last year, and fibre broadband two musts for the developer.
Councillor Marc Macrae (Fochabers-Lhanbryde, Conservative) was one of four councillors who voted in favour of the development when it was rejected last year.
He said: “I was pleased to be advised that the Scottish Government Reporter had allowed the appeal for this housing development on Caroline Street.
“As I said to committee back in 2021, the proposal was for the redevelopment of a derelict site for affordable housing.
“I hope that the developer can now move forward with making good use of this derelict site and providing much-needed accommodation.
"Seeing people given the chance to move onto the housing ladder can only be a good thing."
The site has lain derelict since 2002, when Tesco moved to their current site on the west of town. The Tesco building was demolished in 2014.
Redco Milne were unsuccessful in attempts to build a retail development on the site in 2015, then again in 2016 when they lodged an application for 80 affordable housing units in three areas around Caroline Street.
The new development hasn't pleased everyone, with Forres Mechanics and AES Solar being two vocal opponents.
Mechanics' concern centres around the loss of the club's car parking area – which can host up to 175 vehicles on a match day.
AES Solar managing director George Goudsmit said earlier this year that the development would be to the detriment of his business, which employs more than 30 people. AES also use the area for parking.
