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Pluscarden Abbey monks apply for static caravan for consultant – and to deter anti-social behaviour

People on retreat and the monks themselves have been disturbed by noisy cars and beeping horns at night

Caravan for illustrations purposes.
Caravan for illustrations purposes.

Moray monks want to use a caravan as a office and accommodation for a consultant leading their project to build a new women’s retreat centre.

It is hoped the proposed caravan at Pluscarden Abbey near Elgin will also deter anti-social behaviour.

It comes as each month, young drivers come to the abbey beeping their horns late at night.

Now Gleeson Historic Building Consultants has submitted an application on behalf of Brother Michael De Klerk to site a static caravan between the current St Scholastica’s women’s retreat centre and boundary wall.

Site proposed for the caravan. Image: Pluscarden Abbey

Consultant John Gleeson is travelling from Inveraray to oversee many projects including the creation of the new St Joseph women’s retreat centre.

He will work and sleep in the caravan.

Planning approval has already been granted for the new three-level retreat centre.

Monks are awaiting a building warrant to build the building on the southside of the existing abbey which will have eight suites.

The basement of the new building will house a library for the monks.

Pluscarden Abbey outside Elgin. Image: Jason Hedges/ DC Thomson

How will it provide site security?

Brother Michael de Klerk explained how the abbey sometimes get affected by anti-social behaviour.

He said: “The idea is to have a static caravan there so the consultant can come up and stay when he is on site.

“Also it is a chance for him to keep an eye on the site while he’s there.

“Sometimes we have cars driving up and down beeping their horns when we are trying to sleep.

Although Br de Klerk described the behaviour as “mischief rather than crime”, the application states police are aware.

“It happens around once a month with two or three cars beeping their horns really late at night.”

Pluscarden Abbey outside Elgin. Image: Jason Hedges/ DC Thomson

The current women’s retreat centre near the proposed caravan is still open.

It is hoped construction of the new retreat centre will start this year.

Police were approached for comment.

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