Nearly 200 new homes to be built in Elgin amid growing housing demand.
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After nearly two decades of proposals and discussions, the Bilbohall housing project in Elgin has finally received planning permission for the construction of nearly 200 new homes. This development is situated at the end of Edgar Road, an area already known for its traffic congestion.
The project, a collaboration between Moray Council and Grampian Housing Association, aims to address the pressing need for affordable housing in the region.
Background and need for housing
The Bilbohall site, covering approximately 18 hectares, is located north of Elgin High School and extends towards Fairfield Avenue near the railway line.
This area is roughly the size of 11 football pitches and includes a smaller plot that once housed NHS Grampian’s The Firs day hospital. The need for affordable housing in Elgin is critical; despite the creation of 464 new tenancies across Moray in 2023/24, there were still over 3,300 applications on the local authority’s waiting list as of March 2024.
Details of the housing plans
The approved plans include a diverse range of homes, from two to five-bedroom properties across one or two storeys, as well as two blocks of one-bedroom cottage flats. However, there are concerns about the potential for the new residential area to become a shortcut for drivers, exacerbating traffic issues. To mitigate this, the final plans incorporate various traffic calming measures, including traffic islands, speed bumps, and bus gates controlled by rising bollards, ensuring that only emergency services and buses can access certain routes.
Community response and future developments
The Bilbohall housing proposals have sparked mixed reactions among local residents, with 31 objections raised regarding privacy, wildlife impact, and traffic congestion. In response, planners have assured that adequate measures are in place to address these concerns, including maintaining a significant distance between new homes and existing properties on Fairfield Avenue. Additionally, while the initial masterplan suggested the site could accommodate up to 380 homes, this number has been revised down to 194, with further amendments under consideration to meet housing demand.
Despite the lack of new schools or health facilities being planned for Bilbohall, Moray Council has earmarked funds to enhance existing services in the area. New educational facilities are planned for nearby developments, and an extension to Elgin High School has already secured funding. As the Bilbohall project moves forward, it represents a crucial step in addressing the housing crisis in Elgin, with the potential for further developments in the surrounding areas.
