Plans to build 81 new homes in Moray’s biggest town have been approved despite some concerns over the loss of trees.
Moray Council’s planning committee today backed the Robertson Homes development at Lesmurdie Fields in Elgin, with councillors voting six to four in favour of the proposals.
Some members raised concerns about the felling of 43 trees to make way for the development – which will be a mixture of 55 private and 26 affordable homes.
The scheme will also mean the junction between Pitgaveny Road and Calcots Road will be improved, with the widening of Pitgaveny Road and the creating of a new path from Calcots Road to Lesmurdie Road.
Though there are some concerns about the loss of trees, developers have stressed that 38 semi-mature trees and 3,165 new trees will be planted on the development.
David Bremner, chairman of Moray Council’s planning committee, said: “Families moving into these new homes will enjoy easy access to the existing network of footpaths and cyclepaths and this should reduce the need for short car journeys.
“While there will be the loss of some existing trees, I’m confident the developer is mitigating this with extensive additional planting of native species to encourage biodiversity and support new habitats for wildlife.”
Councillor Claire Feaver continued to call for a “redesign” after concerns over the impact on biodiversity.