Housing plans that would have shrunk a playpark in a Moray town have been thrown out.
Springfield Properties created the space for children as part of its Bain Avenue development in Elgin, which was given planning permission in 2010.
The latest proposals for the area from the firm would have resulted in part of the playpark being covered with 26 new affordable homes, including 12 houses and four units of flats.
Springfield argued that the existing play equipment would be moved to the remaining grassed area and highlighted several other open spaces within a short walk from the heart of the park.
However, the proposals have been refused by Moray Council after nine objections were received from locals concerned about the loss of the greenspace.
Forres councillor George Alexander questioned why the developer felt the need to reduce the size of the park to make way for more homes.
He said: “When this permission was originally given it would have been the case that this area was integral to the application.
“The councillors at the time probably felt it was good that it had this huge bit of green land in the middle of the development.”
A report prepared by council planners explained the proposal would result in an “unacceptable” loss to the area.
It adds: “The additional housing will negatively reduce the size of the overall green space and its ability to function as a neighbourhood park.”
