A “NEW dawn” was signalled for a Moray town centre yesterday when councillors gave the go-ahead to a major £7million development.
The project, by Robertson Property and Upland Investments, will increase the size of the St Giles shopping centre at Elgin by almost two-thirds.
The adjoining bus station will also be redeveloped.
Members of the council’s planning and regulatory services committee welcomed the project as an economic boost for the town centre and its retail sector.
And developers hailed the decision as a “momentous day” for the High Street and Elgin.
The council’s transport manager had objected to the plans over a lack of new parking spaces.
Gordon Holland said an extra 76 parking spaces were needed but, after some discussion, agreed that the car parks across Elgin town centre would have enough capacity.
The developer highlighted that the nearby multistorey car park was underused and also said the improvements proposed to the bus station would encourage more people to use public transport.
Committee chairman Douglas Ross moved approval of the planning application, seconded by councillor John Cowe, chairman of the economic development and infrastructure services committee.
However, opposition councillor Gordon McDonald put forward an amendment, seconded by councillor Pearl Paul, to attach a condition.
He wanted approval of the development to depend on the firm making a contribution of £300,000 towards additional parking.
The original motion was carried 8-3.
Mr Ross said: “This development is a major boost to Elgin High Street and I hope it will have a positive impact on other independent shops and retailers by attracting more people into the centre of Elgin.
“There was clearly a split in the committee over whether to push for additional car parking spaces or a financial contribution of several hundred thousand pounds in lieu of these.
“There was a real risk that this extra cost to be borne by the developer could have put the entire project in jeopardy.”
He said he hoped the application would move to construction and completion as quickly as possible.
Mr Cowe said: “I am delighted to see this development go ahead.
“It signals confidence in the future of Elgin and Moray, Elgin City of the Future and the regeneration, vitality and viability of Elgin town centre.
“It was a depressing situation when we were in the centre last week and there were six empty units.”
Katherine Mackintosh, development director at Robertson, said: “We are delighted that Moray Council has supported the project and congratulate them on their vision for the future of Elgin High Street.
“This is a momentous day for Elgin and the start of a new dawn for the High Street. The extension of the St Giles centre is a vote of confidence, not just in the High Street but in Elgin itself and in the wider Moray community.”