Moray MP Douglas Ross criticises council planners for decision to allow nine new homes near Pluscarden Abbey

Moray's MP has raised concerns over a decision to allow nine new houses to be built near Pluscarden Abbey.

The homes will be sited about 100 yards from the 13th century building, which is the only medieval monastery in Britain still being used for its original purpose.

Planning permission was unanimously granted last week after the developers revised their original application to build 12 houses.

This came despite Moray Council receiving about a hundred objections.

Douglas Ross says he has been contacted by the monks and by residents about the impact the scheme will have on the peace and tranquillity enjoyed at the abbey for 800 years.

Mr Ross is also highlighting the fact that the valley of Pluscarden was designated as a "special landscape area" in Moray Council’s local landscape designation review published in 2018.

Moray's MP said: "These plans were strongly opposed by the monks and most other residents of Pluscarden valley.

"They have expressed shock that this decision was reached.

"Pluscarden Valley was designated as a special landscape area by the council in 2018, and the review document itself describes an existing housing estate near to the abbey as ‘intrusive’.

"I have written asking for an explanation of why it appears that the council is not following its own guidance.

"There is little point in having special designations in place if they do not offer sufficient protection for areas of local significance from new development."

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