Moray villagers have taken their fight to spare a beloved local landmark from demolition to Westminster.
Lhanbryde residents are furious at plans to flatten the 19th century Tennant Arms building to create a Co-op convenience store in its place.
During a tense public meeting at the village’s community centre last night, it emerged that the UK Government’s Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, had taken an interest in the wrangle.
Protestor Jill Stewart said: “We have been in touch with the Secretary of State for Scotland, and he wants to know the outcome of this meeting.”
Moray Council’s planning committee granted developer Tahir Pervaiz’s application to knock down the former pub and hotel during a hearing last month.
Roughly 150 villagers gathered last night to debate the best way forward, as they refuse to allow the venue to go down without a fight.
Fochabers Lhanbryde councillor Sean Morton has gained 250 backers on a petition aimed at forcing the Co-op into a U-turn.
He said: “We lost the battle when this plan was granted, but we can still win the war.
“The Co-op won’t want to open a shop in an environment where everyone is so annoyed that they don’t step foot in it.
“We are open to having a new grocery store in Lhanbryde, but not on St Andrews Road – we need to make the firm realise that.”
He encouraged residents to bombard the Co-op with letters, telephone calls and e-mails to dissuade them from continuing with their plans.
Councillor Morton helmed the gathering with fellow ward member, Douglas Ross.
Councillor Ross said he was “bitterly disappointed” the proposal was not rejected on traffic grounds, following fears that having two similar shops adjacent from each other could cause traffic chaos.
Lifelong Lhanbryde resident, Michael Law, said: “My fear is that the road would be an accident to happen if this goes ahead.
“Has something bad got to happen before common sense prevails?”
Last week, the Co-op acknowledged Mr Morton’s petition, but vowed to proceed with plans to open a store in the village.
Council officers advised members of the authority’s planning committee that traffic concerns surrounding the venture were not sufficient to refuse the application.
