204 homes, shops and nursery at Land At South Glassgreen Phase 3 Elgin

“Erection of 204 dwelling residential units (including 51 affordable units), with 4 commercial units and a nursery, with associated infrastructure and landscaping. • The 153 private residential units would comprise the following: o 109no. 3 and 4 bed detached two storey houses, o 28no. two storey semi-detached houses and o 16no. 2 bed apartments in two storey blocks.”

“Retail Units A-C are shown as of a similar style, detached single storey with a black clad walls and profile metal pitched rooves (grey and red). • Houses would be served by in curtilage driveways and flats by communal parking, whilst the commercial units and nursery would have their own car parks. • The site is bisected by the Aberdeen to Connon Bridge High Pressure Gas Pipeline.”

“An 18.54 ha site to the south of Elgin, currently comprising agricultural land. • The site is bounded by the A941 and Birkenhill Woods (with a small group of housing) to the east, the Linkwood Burn and further agricultural land to the south, and housing development either recently completed or under construction to the west and north. • A high-pressure gas pipeline bisects the site on an almost north/south axis.”

“21/00396/APP - Part of phase 1 South Glassgreen – Revised house types to original Elgin South permissions (18/01209/APP and 16/01244/APP) granted planning permission by this committee on 9 December 2021. Decision issued following update of legal agreement on 13 January 2023.”

“18/01209/APP - Application under Section 42 to vary condition 1 of planning consent 16/01244/APP to maintain provision for 870 houses (as approved) but vary phasing design and site layout details i.e.”

“Whilst most design, transportation and other matters have been addressed, or can be addressed by the conditions recommended, the shortfall of retail floorspace does result in a departure from NPF4 Policies 15 & 28, MLDP Policy DP7 and Elgin South Masterplan where more local retail provision was expected (and to be carried forward from previous phases).”

“While the current proposal does not fully meet the requirements of the approved Elgin South Masterplan, due to a shortfall of retail provision it and is therefore contrary to NPF4 Policies 15 & 28, MLDP Policy DP7 and Elgin South Masterplan the wider benefits (delivery of private and affordable housing, nursery building and delivery of convenience and other retail opportunities) of the development still outweighs these matters resulting in an overall acceptable form of…”

“Strategic Planning and Development – A Quality Audit (QA) has been carried out on the proposed development and a number of departures from the masterplan and relevant polices in respect of connections, key buildings, materials, open space, landscaping and safety identified. These are detailed more fully in the Quality. DM Officer note – these departures are discussed within the Observation Section.”

“There is a shortfall in retail/commercial provision across Glassgreen Village. An additional 2 retail units - or a further 200 sqm - is required, with at least one more retail unit being provided at Central Square to support the creation of a multifunctional core.”

“Issue: Position of football kickabout pitches is unsafe, as it is located between two busy roads. It is located on a gas pipeline and heavy footfall/use could cause disruption to the pipes. Comments (PO): The football kickabout areas are informal pitches rather than marked sports areas.”

“Issue: Noise and dust generated during construction will impact on residential amenity of nearby houses. Comments (PO): A degree of noise and dust can be generated by construction, however a Construction Environment Management Plan will be required by condition ensuring such measures are avoided, and where unavoidable, mitigated, to ensure any impact on the amenity of nearby properties is avoided/minimised.”

“Councillor van der Horn welcomed the allotments within the development however queried whether any of them would be accessible.”

“Councillor van der Horn stated that a number of his constituents had raised concern in relation to the use of chemical sprays in common land and play areas and queried whether a condition could be added to prohibit the use of chemical sprays in such places.”

“Thereafter, the Committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission, as recommended, in relation to Planning Application 24/01437/APP subject to the:”