Public invited to comment on Bilbohall draft masterplan

AN EXPANSION of Elgin, which could see hundreds of affordable homes built, has been detailed in a draft masterplan which goes out to public consultation next month.

Once approved the plan, which covers land at Bilbohall - identified for residential development in the Moray Local Development Plan 2015 - will be used to inform future planning applications.

Around 370 homes are proposed for the site towards the western edge of Elgin, with more than half of these to be affordable housing, as well as plans for open space and landscaping.

Feedback from an exhibition held last year has been used to create the draft masterplan, available to view on Moray Council’s website at www.moray.gov.uk/bilbohallmasterplan or in hard copy at Elgin library and access point between 5 March and 27 April.

Comments can be submitted by email to localdevelopmentplan@moray.gov.uk or in writing, posted to Moray Council, Development Services, Development Plans, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX. Comments must be received by Friday 27 April.

A drop-in exhibition will take place at St Giles Church in Elgin on Saturday 17 March, from 9.30am to 4pm, at which the draft masterplan will be available for members of the public to view, with planning officers on hand to answer any questions.

After the consultation ends, comments will be considered and a final masterplan will be presented to members of Moray Council’s Planning & Regulatory Services Committee in June for approval.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.