Members of Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to build the Elgin western link road.

The announcement comes less than a fortnight after the council's Planning and Regulatory Services Committee rejected plans to allow the £8.5m project to go ahead.

The latest decision, which was passed by seven votes to five, will now shape a recommendation that will be given to the full council next month, it is understood. The recommendation will include working towards an amended planning application and addressing the reasons as to why the original plans were refused.

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The proposed route had been designed to link Edgar Road and Wittet Drive with the construction of a new road bridge over the Aberdeen-Inverness railway line. It aims to ease traffic congestion in Elgin, as well as promote economic development within the town, however a number of objections were raised, with many concerned about the increase in traffic on Edgar Road and Wittet Drive, as well as noise pollution and the potential visual impact on residential properties that would be situated along the route.

Councillor John Cowe, Committee Chairman, explained: "In planning terms, the council is no different from any other developer when an application is refused, inasmuch as any such developer would look at the refusal and how the reasons for it can be mitigated in a revised application.

"If the western link road project is to progress, an amended planning application would have to be submitted. That approach is the one I would urge members to adopt."

(JP/MH)