A Moray playing field’s military past could help secure its future as a protected site.
Councillors yesterday approved plans to nominate Elgin’s Pinefield area for protected status as part of a national programme marking the centenary of World War I.
The centenary fields programme, run by the Fields in Trust charity in partnership with the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland, seeks to safeguard the future of recreational spaces in honour of those who died in the conflict.
Council members agreed the Pinefield expanse was the perfect candidate for the distinction since it was used as a military barracks and parade ground during the war.
If the Pinefield playing fields are adopted by the initiative the council will be prohibited from selling or building on the land without the permission of Fields in Trust.
In February, locals were given a stark reminder of the area’s military history, when an ordnance clearance team was called in to scour the area with metal detectors amid fears there could be unexploded munitions beneath the ground.
Residents were relived when the week-long search uncovered only two practice bullets dating from 1943.
