Planning & Development
Planning & Development
The Moray Council, Council Office
High Street, Elgin
IV30 1BX
Tel: 01343 563501
Email: developmentprojects@moray.gov.uk
Development Plan - Supplementary Guidance
- Guidance and Strategies
- Developer Requirements for Housing
- Burghead Conservation Area
- Housing in the Countryside
- Urban Design Guide
- Development Briefs
- Open Spaces
- Trees and Development
- Affordable Housing
- Forestry Strategy
- Wind Energy
- Environmental Charter
Guidance and Strategies
The Council produces supplementary guidance to that contained in the Development Plan on a number of policy matters. The guidance has been through public consultation and therefore constitutes a material consideration in the planning application process.
Developer Requirements for Housing
The Developer Requirements for Housing consolidates and expands on all of the Local Plan policies that will be used when considering applications for housing developments (over 5 units). It advises applicants, developers, landowners what will be required of them in terms of the layouts and designs they submit, in order to comply with policies, with the objective of attaining a high standard of development on the ground.
Burghead Conservation Area
On 9th February 2010, the Planning & Regulatory Services Committee approved the designation of a conservation area in Burghead. Viewed a plan of the conservation area boundary. 
(1 page, 156 KB
Burghead Conservation Area Appraisal, which identifies the objectives and principles of the designation at the harbour/promontory area will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. The aforementioned documents are also available to view during normal opening hours at the Moray Council Headquarters, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX and Burghead Library, 16 Grant Street, Burghead, IV30 5EU.
The principal effect of the designation is that the area included within the boundary of the Conservation Area is now subject to greater planning controls to protect its character. For example, the demolition of a building within the Conservation Area will require prior consent from the Planning Authority as will the felling, topping, lopping or uprooting of any tree. Some alterations to properties will also require consent, such as the painting, stone cleaning and recladding of an external wall and work to roof finishes. Advice on what will require consent can be obtained by contacting the Planning Authority.
It is the duty of the Planning Authority to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the Conservation Area when dealing with planning applications. Details of the policies that affect Conservation Areas are contained within the adopted Moray Local Plan 2008.
Supplementary Planning Guidance: Housing in the Countryside
The supplementary planning guidance (spg) for Housing in the Countryside provides guidance on the relevant Moray Local Plan policies and the siting, location and design of housing in a rural environment.
A public consultation on the draft guidance was held between 16th November and 24th December 2009. The responses to the comments 
received during this consultation were approved by the Planning & Regulatory Committee on 1st June 2010. The finalised spg, incorporating these comments, is currently being compiled. In the interim, the draft guidance should be read in conjunction with these responses.
The guidance is a material consideration in the determination of all planning applications for new houses and renovations and conversions of existing houses in the countryside.
The SPG is also available to view at local libraries, access points and the Council Headquarters, Elgin.
People and Places- A Design Guide for Moray
The overall aim of this supplementary planning guidance (26 pages, 817 KB) is to encourage good design principles to ensure that new developments are successful places to live, work and relax. Good design from the outset can avoid problems in the longer term such as poorly maintained spaces, isolated communities and social problems. Good design adds value to a development, creating a place that is attractive, safe and easy to move around. The Guide aims to reduce reliance upon the car and reinforce the role of our streets as a key way of walking and cycling and therefore creating a sense of place and allowing for much more social interaction to take place.
The Guidance is aimed primarily at larger housing developments but many of the principles can be applied to all types and sizes of development. The Guidance supports and expands upon the Local Plan policies and the Developer Requirements Supplementary Planning Guidance.”
Gary Templeton Department of Environmental Services, Moray Council, High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX or e mail developmentprojects@moray.gov.uk
Development Briefs
The Council has prepared Development Briefs for sites in Cullen (8 pages, 318 KB) Findochty (8 pages, 296 KB) and Portknockie. (8 pages, 290 KB). Each of these sites is designated for residential use in the Moray Local Plan 2008.
The Briefs provide details of how the site should be developed, including technical requirements on road access and other servicing, landscaping and layout matters. Their preparation involved a consultation period, following which amendments were made to draft versions.
They now have the status of Supplementary Planning Guidance, and will be used as material considerations when planning applications are being assessed.
Moray Open Space Strategy
The Council is currently working with partners to develop an Open Space Strategy, as required under SPP11: Open Space and Physical Activity 
(November 2007). The Strategy process needs to include an audit of open space in Moray's settlements, comprising site assessments and public consultation, in order to meet the statutory requirement.
Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Guidance
The Council has produced Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Guidance (18 pages, 1.15MB)to: Guide developers and members of the public as to how to fulfil the requirements for a tree survey, which needs to accompany certain planning applications under Policy E3 in the Moray Local Plan 2008.
Advise developers and members of the public as to the Council’s tree replacement planting requirements for protected trees or trees identified for removal/replacement in a planting scheme.
Raise general awareness of and provide advice as to what needs to be done to comply with other tree protection measures/guidance (e.g. TPOs, Conservation Areas, Planning conditions, Forestry Licence)
A brochure summarising the key requirements and advice in the new Trees SPG can be found here.
Supplementary information has been produced on ‘Native Trees – Characteristics, Tolerances & Suitability’ (8 pages, 80 KB) to support the replacement planting element of the Trees SPG.
Website references/Further research
For further information or queries please contact: Gary Templeton, Principal Planning Officer, Planning & Development, The Moray Council, Council Office, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX Tel: 01343 563470 or email developmentprojects@moray.gov.uk
Affordable Housing
The Council's Environmental Services and Community Services Departments have produced this Supplementary Planning Guidance. It sets out the Council's procedures for providing affordable housing and the mechanisms for securing such housing. Affordable Housing (This link opens in a new window)
Forestry Strategy
The Moray Council has published
- Forestry Guidance (29 pages, 212 KB)
- Strategy Map, (1 page, 2.49 MB)
- Existing Woodland Map (1 Page, 2.56 MB)
- New Woodland Map, (1 page, 2.65 MB))
These have been published in accordance with National Planning Policy Guidance. The Guidance identifies preferred search areas within which forestry may be suitable subject to the detailed consideration.
Wind Energy
The Moray Council Wind Energy
Environmental Charter
In 1996 The Moray Council adopted an Environmental Charter following on from a round of public consultation. The adoption of the charter was identified as one of the Local Agenda 21 objectives.
