Proposals for the Elgin Western Link Road took a step forward yesterday as a timetable for the project’s planning stages was confirmed.
The document outlines the process for submitting and handling a revised application for the road.
It also contains a response to a request for further information from the Scottish Government reporter appointed to scrutinise the new Moray Local Development Plan.
The initial application for the controversial route was rejected by Moray Council’s planning and regulatory services committee following a hearing in November.
However, the local authority’s economic development and infrastructure services committee went on to reaffirm its commitment to the project – a decision later endorsed by the full council.
In its response to the reporter, the council has said its officers are confident that the reasons for refusal of the original application can be addressed.
The response said: “Council officers are now working with the appointed consultants with the aim of submitting a revised application during summer 2015 with a view to this being determined before the end of the year.
“If this is achieved it is intended to begin construction works in spring 2016, with an estimated 18-month construction programme resulting in completion before the end of 2017.”
Scottish Conservative Councillor for Fochabers-Lhanbryde Douglas Ross headed the meeting in November when the application was refused and does not believe its passage will be any smoother a second time round.
He said: “As chairman of the planning hearing which refused the earlier application I’m astonished anyone can say that the reasons for refusal of the original application can be addressed.
“I’ve seen no information at either the planning committee or economic development committee that would allow me or any other councilor to come to that conclusion.
“I feel that in saying this, the council is being disrespectful to the campaigners who were against this application and the councilors who voted to refuse it.
“Everything I’ve read suggests to me that certain people within the council are determined to bulldoze this project through no matter what. I think that is very dangerous in a so called democracy.”