Planners back relocation of shop

A Moray firm’s £3.5million expansion in the outskirts of Elgin has been backed by planners – despite fears it could lead to job losses in the town centre.

Councillors have been recommended to give the green light to Grampian Furnishers who are seeking to move from their current Lossiemouth site to a showroom three times the size.

The proposed location, next to the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road, is against existing planning rules which bar retail developments at the land near the Reiket Lane roundabout. Objections to using the site have been lodged by Elgin’s business improvement district (BID) as well as furniture chain Anderson and England, highlighting concerns it could increase pressures on shops in the centre of town and set a precedent for further retail development at Linkwood.

A report for the planning committee summarising opponents’ worries said: “There are already significant pressures on town centre retailers as evidenced by the current vacancy rate.

“This development will increase these pressures, leading to further trade displacement and result in job losses.”

A statement from Elgin BID said: “Elgin BID are in no way objecting to Grampian Furnishings, our objection has been and continues to be to the site of the proposed development and to how the development contravenes the Moray Council’s own polices and plans.

“One of the reasons that Elgin BID was created, was to help the city centre cope with the increasing pressures faced by the out-oftown retail developments.”

Grampian Furnishers boss Royce Clark welcomed the recommendation to approve. Councillors will debate on October 4 if the project can be considered as an exemption to policy.

He said: “This is by no means the final step, we’ve still got to convince the planning committee of the merits, but it’s great that we have council planners on side to support our application.

“We’ve seen a lot of support online, a petition in favour has been backed by more than 2,500 people.”

“A petition in favour has been backed by more than 2,500 people”