AES Solar may have to leave area if St Machar Properties plans for social housing on Lea Road go ahead

A THRIVING local business may have to leave the premises it has occupied for nearly 25 years - following a decision by the Scottish Government.

Panel manufacturers, AES Solar, object to plans for an affordable housing development on Lea Road - the site of the original Forres Tesco and car park that has lain derelict and increasingly unkempt for more than 20 years - these housing plans have just been given the go-ahead by the Scottish Government’s Reporter’s appeal process following rejection by Moray Council last year.

AES managing director, George Goudsmit said flats in the development will require space the company uses for parking and access, adding that the firm first objected to an application to build on the land in 2016. He said: “We have not been listened to in all this the time since.

“We back the need for affordable housing in the area.

“However, current plans for Lea Road may come at the detriment to our business if we are not able to vindicate our right to use the land.”

AES have been operating and employing in the area for 42 years.

The solar panel experts moved to the site in 1998 and have been using the land in question for parking and deliveries ever since.

AES have expanded installation and manufacturing capacity over the last 24 years and now employ over 30 members of staff. Employees park their cars at the office securely during the day and up to four company vans can also be parked outside at any time.

They regularly receive large deliveries from heavy goods vehicles so access to the building from the area in front is essential for operations.

Should the plans go ahead, access and parking to AES will be restricted. HGVs in the area could also pose a safety risk to new residents, particularly children.

Mr Goudsmit is now taking legal advice to safeguard the business.

He added: “The worst case scenario is that we may have to reluctantly move outside of Moray.”

The Scottish Government Reporter overturned Moray Council’s decision to reject developer St Machar’s application for a residential redevelopment on the 1.42 hectare brownfield site, which includes a former gasworks. A total of 29 houses and 19 flats are proposed.

The Tesco on the site was abandoned in 2002 then demolished until 2014. Owners, Redco Milne - who changed their name to St Machar Properties in 2019 - were unsuccessful in attempts to build a retail development on the site in 2015, then again in 2016 when they lodged an application for 80 affordable housing units. Last August, Moray Council voted to reject St Machar’s application for planning permission for 48 affordable homes, citing the omission of a play area for young children and a lack of car parking places. However, the developer filed an appeal with the Scottish Government and David Buylla, a Reporter who visited the site in January overturned the decision this month.

Mr Bullya said a minimum of 92 parking spaces should be provided for residents and visitors. The proposal would incorporate 80 spaces. Other objectors cite existing problems from on-street parking.

However, he explained: “This is a highly accessible, edge of town centre site, within easy walking distance of shops and public services, and close enough to the railway station for that to be an option for longer distance journeys.

“The Moray Climate Change Strategy to move away from private transport is unlikely to be satisfied if new development proposals continue to encourage car ownership.”

However, St Machar will now need to meet the Reporter’s list of conditions.

Mr Bullya said: “I find the key considerations to be the adequacy of open space, play provision and car parking, the need for developer contributions towards healthcare and sports provision, and the compatibility of the proposal with a nearby business use. No development shall commence until a scheme for the provision of one item of inclusive play equipment at the Bogton play area has been approved by the planning authority.”

Cllr Aaron McLean (Forres, SNP) was the only local councillor to vote for the proposals last August.

He said: “The reasons given to refuse were not strong in the first place which is why I voted to allow planning back then, going with the advice of planning officials.

“However, The Reporter has removed the need for the developer’s obligations for health facilities and money towards an artificial pitch for Forres. This is really annoying as the developer made no mention of these being a problem in the application or the appeal. Council officers are looking to see what right of appeal we have.”

Cllr Claire Feaver (Forres, Independent) said she was not surprised by the decision as “a significant number” of planning decisions made by Moray Council have been overturned by the Scottish Government. She said: “This has included instances when the council has imposed conditions on developments, which we believe serve the interests of local people, only to have them overturned on appeal by the developers. The results are, frankly, substandard developments taking place which could have been so much better, and more sympathetic to the environment, and people living by.

“We have decision-makers who don’t understand the implications of what they are deciding which, in this case, means that local children will have a far more problematic journey to make to their play area.”

Cllr Lorna Creswell (Forres, Independent) added: “There is some way to go before the development can definitely go ahead.

“We desperately need affordable housing, especially for those in temporary accommodation after becoming homeless.

“Overcrowding amongst other issues has to be addressed so having more housing will be welcome.”

Cllr George Alexander (Forres, Independent) finished: “We all want to see the sites of the former gasworks and the Tesco supermarket developed and particularly with affordable housing. It will, however be a great mistake in my view if this paticular area is built on and a more safe route to the play area is not provided.”