A boxing club has been authorised to continue using its base in Elgin after going several rounds with neighbours who complained about the noises made during practice sessions.
But the organisation’s bosses will be under the watchful eye of nearby residents who wanted the group to be turfed out of Brodie Place – and they have pledged to call the police if they are again troubled by the “loud exclamations” they claim are a part of training.
Commonwealth Games star Megan Gordon was among dozens of Elgin Boxing Club members who faced an uncertain future as the fate of the group lay in the hands of Moray Council.
The outfit had been running classes at a converted furniture store in Bishopmill for 18 months before people living nearby lodged complaints about the enterprise, and organisers were forced to apply for permission in retrospect to use the building.
Club official Kevin Gentleman said that being shifted from the premises could be a knockout blow for the club after thousands had been spent on renovating the dilapidated space.
Neighbours, and the town’s community council, urged planning bosses to shelve sentiment and judge that the club was not suited to a residential area.
As well as bemoaning the “loud exhortations to hit harder” shouted during training sessions, they said parking around the base had become a “nightmare”.
Moray Council has now given the club its blessing to continue.
A report stated: “It is considered that it would be reasonable to expect that the boxing club could exercise control over noise emissions.”
Mr Gentleman has now enforced strict parking rules to keep the peace, adding: “This has been amazingly stressful for everyone, but now we want to put all of this behind us and move on.
“Now we can concentrate on our future, and on finding new talent out there.”
Planning permission has been agreed for two years, with conditions in place that “no activities” take place between 9pm and 9am.
One disgruntled resident has vowed to monitor the club and call in the police if members break their promises to keep noise at a minimum.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “The council appears to have taken a decision contrary to Elgin Community Council and neighbours’ wishes, and not even allowed people to attend a meeting to discuss this.
“I am waiting for people involved with the club to start harassing us again, I haven’t done so far but I will be calling the police as required.”
But another complainer said: “We never had any problem with the club in principle, we just thought it was in the wrong place in regards to parking.
“But members have stopped parking there, and providing their promises are kept then there won’t be any more arguments.”
