During a stormy fortnight for Moray Council, the western link road vote brought yet more division between councillors.
The application for the route between Wittet Drive and Edgar Road was defeated by one vote.
Conservative councillors Douglas Ross and James Allan and SNP councillors Pearl Paul, Gordon McDonald, Margo Howe, Mike McConachie, and Aaron McLean voted against the plans.
While independent councillors John Cowe, Chris Tuke, George Alexander, Gordon Cowie, and Allan Wright, Conservative, and Labour’s John Divers backed the proposal.
Yesterday’s decision on the controversial planning application came amidst a major internal reshuffle and increased cross-party tension.
Following the resignation of council leader Mr Wright and the administration decision to oust Mr Ross, speculation of internal strife has been suggested.
Speaking last night, Mr Wright said the vote “did not particularly” reflect any political problems within the council.
He said: “We sat today as a planning authority. It’s always been very clear that there shouldn’t be any party lines and each individual on the planning committee votes according to the way he or she sees a particular issue, and that was what happened today.
“I was disappointed in the outcome, but people vote according to how they see the issue, and they should be viewing it purely on planning terms.
“We have been there before. I don’t think there has been a major planning issue where the officers’ recommendation has been defeated, but recommendations are defeated, and if there weren’t from time to time then what’s the point of this committee?”
Mr Wright’s Conservative colleague, Mr Allan, said his decision was “personal”.
He said: “For me, it was a personal decision because I have worked in Greenwards for more than seven years. We have more than 100 kids in one area, and the noise and the pollution right beside the school just wouldn’t have been acceptable.
“This issue has been going on for years and years, and we had to listen to the people of Elgin. We have put this application to bed now. The people spoke really well yesterday, and they have put in a lot of work over the years.”