Moray villagers fighting to save a beloved landmark from demolition will face months of uncertainty before learning its fate.
Almost 20 campaigners gathered at Moray Council’s headquarters in Elgin yesterday for a special debate aimed at deciding the future of the Tennant Arms former hotel in Lhanbryde.
Developer Tahir Pervaiz wants to knock down the former hotel and pub, which has occupied its site on St Andrew’s Road since 1854, and replace it with a Co-op convenience store.
But more than 100 people have objected to the plans, as they consider the pub one the most recognisable building in the village.
Yesterday, members of the planning and regulatory services committee were due to discuss the application – but at the last minute, it was abandoned due to a planning blunder.
Mr Pervaiz had attended the meeting with representatives from the Plans Plus architect firm and the shop chain, hoping that councillors would endorse the scheme after hearing arguments in its favour.
A crew of determined Lhanbryde residents had also hoped to make their case to save the building.
But both sides were left disappointed shortly into the debate, when it emerged that a wrangle over land ownership meant that Mr Pervaiz’s application was “invalid”.
Head of Moray Council’s development services, Jim Grant, apologised to those in attendance for the gaffe, and explained that it meant the proposal would have to be resubmitted.
He added: “There will then have to be another consultation period of 21 days, and there will be a rearranged hearing at a future date in a few months.”
Anita Milne, who had hoped to speak on behalf of the Lhanbryde Community Challenge group, bemoaned the ongoing uncertainty over the landmark’s future.
Mrs Milne said: “This is a setback to us, I’d have thought planners would have checked that sort of thing before now.
“This will be hanging over us for the summer, which is unfortunate as it means a lot of uncertainty for the village.”
More than 100 people objected to the plan to flatten what they consider the most recognisable building in Lhanbryde.
But Colin Keir, a partner in the architect firm which is overseeing Mr Pervaiz’s application, said the venue had no other viable future.
Representing Plans Plus, Mr Keir said that Mr Pervaiz had tried to ensure the new building would retain elements of the original at “considerable additional cost”.
