Latest news with #MorayCouncil
STV News
5 days ago
- General
- STV News
Mothballed school to close permanently over falling pupil numbers
A school in Moray is to close for good after pupil numbers fell below the minimum threshold for several years in a row. Crossroads Primary School near Keith, which was mothballed in January 2023 after pupil numbers fell to ten, is to close permanently. The pupil roll remained 'well below' the council's minimum threshold of 15 for successive years with a decision made at full council to proceed with complete closure. Scottish Ministers said the council had fulfilled its obligations under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. Teaching at the school has ended with immediate effect, and the catchment area will be permanently reassigned to Keith and Rothiemay Primary Schools. Pupils from the Grange area have been attending other schools for a number of years, and their existing arrangements will remain unchanged by the closure. The local authority has said it will work with the community to consider potential future uses for the school building and grounds. Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, who also chairs the Education, Children's and Leisure Services Committee, said: 'This decision has been taken with the best interests of pupils and the wider community in mind. 'With the school having been mothballed for over two years and no significant increase in the pupil roll, it's important to provide clarity for families and ensure continuity of education in nearby schools. 'We're committed to working closely with the local community to explore meaningful and sustainable future uses for the Crossroads school site.' The ministerial decision letter has been published on the Scottish Government website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
Elgin's 5.6-hectare cemetery equals to 8 football pitches
The new 5.6 hectare site off Linkwood Road and Hallowood Road was identified through the Local Development Plan as suitable for the replacement of the existing cemetery on Linkwood Road, near Reiket Lane, which is nearly full. The development will include internal access roads, parking areas, a pedestrian path and extensive landscaping to create an accessible environment for all visitors. READ MORE: Clean tech firm to use £3m grant to develop battery storage alternative When approved in August last year, development was subject to a number of conditions, including: a requirement of the works beginning within the next three years the installation of a new cycle path construction of a new access track As part of the site preparation, around 35 trees will be removed to allow for visibility and access routes. Felled and fallen trees and branches will be retained for wildlife habitats. More than 1000 new trees, areas of shrubs and wildflowers will also be planted to improve biodiversity in the area. The project, with construction by Pat Munro Ltd, is to be delivered in phases with the first burial area due to be completed by December 2026. The full cemetery is expected to be operational by spring 2027, at which point lairs are expected to close to new burials. Muslim, infant and ashes burial will continue here for a number of years beyond 2027. Chair of Moray Council's economic development and infrastructure services committee, councillor Marc Macrae, said: 'This development reflects Moray Council's commitment to sustainable planning, community wellbeing, and environmental stewardship. "We extend our thanks to all stakeholders and community members who contributed to the planning process and look forward to delivering a facility that will serve Elgin for generations to come.'
Press and Journal
13-06-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Elgin biomass plant developer argues Longmorn refusal defies 'rational analysis'
The developer of a refused biomass plant near Elgin has fired back at Moray Council, calling rejection of their plans 'wholly unfounded.' Developer Acorn Bioenergy has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government after councillors unanimously voted down proposals in April. It came after council officers called into question the developer's carbon saving figures, the Longmorn location and the benefits it would bring Moray. Acorn has strongly condemned the council's analysis of their plans, which they argue used no 'rational analysis' and asked government reporters to overrule and back the plans. The council refusal of the plans hinged on the carbon savings of the project. Planners took issue with Acorn bioenergy's estimates, stating: 'The proposal is likely to produce significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than it removes.' In their decision, they cited material transport emissions and uncertainty over the developer's carbon capture plans. They also stated there were not enough economic benefits from the proposals to justify a new lorry junction on the busy A941 Elgin to Rothes road. Councillors at the time called local contributions from the developer 'absolutely insufficient' and said the Longmorn site was the wrong location. The land is part of the protected 'Countryside Around Towns' (CAT) zone surrounding Elgin and councillors felt the development was not worth sacrificing the green space. Acorn has questioned the council's decision and said in an appeal statement to the Scottish Government the site 'could not be better located.' They continue to stand behind their emissions saving figures, which the council refuted. Acorn said the council did not use 'any rational analysis' when judging the carbon savings of the project. They argue their emissions calculation was based on the 'worst case scenario' of diesel lorries carrying biomethane to a gas injection point near Inverness. Acorn said their plans made several allowances for this, including injecting the gas directly into a network pipe on site and running trucks on their own biomethane. Acorn also called council claims the site had no significant economic benefit 'wholly unfounded,' and said it would 'create a circular economy' with the Moray whisky industry and local farming. They said: '[Acorn's] proposals have been promoted with the specific objective of serving the whisky industry within Moray. 'The industry has expressed strong support for the location.' Acorn questioned how 'specifically designing the project to meet the needs of a key local business sector' did not show direct economic benefits. Lack of consideration of this revealed a 'bias inherent within the analysis' by council officers, they argue. Moray Council has until the June 26 to submit their response to the appeal, and a council spokesperson confirmed they intend to do so. Back in April when the council ruled on the application, the P&J spoke to several local objectors who shared their worries about the plant. Road safety was a primary concern, and ex-policeman David Duff warned 'people will die' as a result of lorry movements going in and out of the site each day on the A941. Acorn said their plan to create a ghost island junction on the road raised no 'substantive issues' concerning road safety from the council or the roads authority. Local postman Peter Regan said the plant would be 'blighting our lives every day for 25 years' and felt it was the 'wrong site at the wrong time.' Other objections made against the site worried about potential odour leaking out and the lack of local benefit coming from the application. The P&J recently spoke to residents of Rathven near Buckie about a similarly sized biomass plant planned opposite the village. The developer was forced to move the site closer to Rathven after Historic Environment Scotland revealed a nearby cairn, and a full planning application for the new site has yet to be submitted. A further biomass plant on the disused Fearn Airfield in Easter Ross was also appealed to the Scottish Government after Highland Council refused the application. The plant won the appeal despite further objections from locals. Acorn say the plant will create 15 jobs and will produce enough biomethane to heat around 8,000 homes, and hopes its approval is a positive sign towards overruling the Elgin plans. You can read Acorn's full appeal of the Longmorn site here and the application remains open for public comments until the July 3.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Buckie's navigation light will be replaced using a helicopter
A helicopter is being brought in to help replace an ageing navigation light used to guide vessels off the Moray coast. The light - at The Mucks reef near Buckie - has been in place since the 1970s and has reached the end of its working life. A new one, which is expected last another 50 years with annual maintenance, is due to be installed on 19 June. However, due to the rocky offshore location, it will need to be airlifted into place. Marc Macrae, who chairs Moray Council's economic development and infrastructure services committee, said: "This replacement is vital to ensuring the safety of vessels navigating our coastline."We're pleased to invest in this modern, durable upgrade at a time we're looking at the potential for growth in and around Buckie harbour."
Press and Journal
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
How Elgin Town Hall transformation could make it Moray's touring destination like P&J Live and Eden Court
Senior officials want Elgin Town Hall's ambitious expansion and refurbishment to cement its place as a destination for touring musicians and performers. Moray Council's Cultural Quarter project manager Claire English believes changes to the much-loved venue will raise the profile of the B-listed building beyond its already-growing reputation. At the end of March, Elgin Town Hall closed its doors to the public for initial preparation works inside the building to start. A main contractor is expected to be appointed by end of July with the main work on the project due to begin in the autumn. The construction costs for the transformation are estimated to be between £15 million and £16 million. Before the renovation, SSEN will move cabling from the nearby substation further away from the Town Hall. The development is part of the £31 million Cultural Quarter project, which forms part of the Moray Growth Deal. Claire said: 'It's definitely an ambition for everyone to improve the facilities and ensure the Town Hall becomes Moray's main venue in line with cultural venues between Aberdeen, Elgin and Inverness. 'This will benefit the offering for everyone. 'It is all about enhancing the facilities and improving the customer experience. 'Also it gives the venue a higher profile and generate more interest from performers, producers and audiences as well. 'People may not travel this far north for shows, however there might be more gigs for them. 'People already travel between Aberdeen, Inverness and Elgin for shows.' The new look facility will have a large extension which will run down the length of Elgin Town Hall next to the Lossiemouth road. This addition, which will house the box office, reception and lobby, will become the main entrance to the B-listed building with separate doors from both the A96 and Lossie Green sides. Meanwhile, the current entrance area will be transformed into a new bar with glass windows looking out over a refurbished courtyard. And a second extension will be built at the rear of the building, on the A96 side, which will house a second performance venue for rehearsals or smaller events. Capacity will be increased too. Claire said: 'This makeover will give charity Elgin Town Hall for the Community the opportunity to take what they have been doing really well and build on it with a fit for purpose building. 'The facilities for the performers will be improved too as it will be easier to load up equipment onto the stage. 'The fact that the new bar will be in the old foyer, somewhere which most people have been in, is great too. 'People have so many memories about the venue and more will be created once it reopens after the renovation.' The Cultural Quarter project will also aim to bring Grant Lodge back into use. The project will aim to combine restored heritage spaces with sensitive contemporary extensions. These will provide flexible, high-quality areas and services including a café/bar, gallery, exhibitions, retail, and events like weddings, within a vibrant Moray heritage and tourism hub. The transformation is estimated to cost around £9 million. Meanwhile, the planning application is expected to be submitted by end of this summer. Works to repair the historic building are expected to begin in 2027 and the phased opening of the building likely to take place between 2027 and 2029.
