Plans to expand the south side of Elgin over the next 40 years have gone on public display for the first time.
Springfield Properties’ masterplan for the area includes proposals for 2,500 new homes, two schools, a sports centre, shops and doctor surgeries.
Hundreds of people visited the New Elgin Hall yesterday to look at the boards displaying what their community could look like in years to come.
Springfield’s land director Kenny Shand said: “There are a lot of people looking to invest in Elgin. There are some opportunities built into the masterplan, that might not be in five or 10 years but be in 15.
“Developing a masterplan means you can provide that certainty of how the town is going to grow, you’re not left guessing about the long term.
“It means if Elgin doesn’t fit in with somebody’s short term plans for business or living, they have that ability to look further down the line.”
The first planning application is expected to be submitted in July. It will feature 870 houses, a quarter of which will be affordable, as well as two schools, sports centre and community buildings. Construction could begin as early as next year.
Designers will look at feedback from yesterday before drawing up the final plans for the area.
Many of those who attended welcomed the proposals, but raised questions about the risk of flooding and when the new schools would be open.
Concerns were also raised about the effect 2,500 new homes in the area would have on nearby roads.
Elgin resident Ewan Chalmers said: “I don’t mind the premise of it, but rather than building housing a proper bypass should have been built first.
“It just seems that things are being done in the wrong order.”
However, Mr Shand moved to reassure him and said: “Over time there will be links taking you from west to east through the masterplan area.
“At the moment the main links will be the A941, Linkwood Road and Birnie Road. There is also the potential for a link from Barmuckity to the A96.
“Transport assessments will be made before each planning application to see if any improvements need to be made to the road network.”
Elgin City South councillor Graham Leadbitter welcomed the variety of the proposals on show.
He said: “We don’t want Elgin to become a town that’s filled with nothing but housing. It has to be a mix of uses.
“There will be a mix of areas for employment and area that will give the best opportunities and the best possible standard of living.”
