Elgin’s Bilbohall Development: Addressing Traffic Congestion and Housing Expansion
In the heart of Elgin, plans are in motion to construct hundreds of new homes on what is already one of the town’s most congested roads. Situated near Elgin High School, the Bilbohall site has a long history dating back nearly two decades when housing proposals were first introduced for the Edgar Road location. These initial plans were intertwined with the ill-fated Western Link Road project, which aimed to alleviate traffic issues in the area. However, when the road project fell through, so did the housing plans, leaving the town in need of more affordable homes.
Fast forward to the present day, and planning permission has been granted for close to 200 new homes to be built at the end of Edgar Road, a street that is already notorious for its traffic congestion. The Bilbohall housing project is a collaboration between Moray Council and Grampian Housing Association, with Scotia Homes initially involved in the partnership but later stepping away from the final approved plans. The pressing need for council-owned and affordable housing in Elgin and the surrounding region is evident, with thousands of applicants on the local authority’s waiting list despite the creation of new tenancies in recent years.
The Bilbohall site spans 18 hectares, equivalent to about 11 football fields, stretching from Elgin High School to Fairfield Avenue near the railway line. Additionally, the development includes a smaller plot that was once home to NHS Grampian’s The Firs day hospital, which the council acquired in 2007. The housing plans encompass a variety of home sizes, ranging from two to five bedrooms, as well as one-bedroom cottage flats in two separate blocks.
Addressing Traffic Concerns in Bilbohall
A major point of contention surrounding the Bilbohall development has been the potential for increased traffic cutting through the residential area from the south of Elgin to the A96. Originally, the land was earmarked for the Western Link Road, which would have better connected the south and west of Elgin, including a direct route to the A96. With the road project abandoned, measures are being implemented to deter drivers from using the new residential area as a shortcut. Traffic islands, speed bumps, and bus gates controlled by bollards are among the strategies planned to discourage through-traffic and ensure the safety and integrity of the neighborhood.
Potential for Further Expansion in Elgin
While the Bilbohall housing development is a significant addition to Elgin’s housing landscape, it is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The town is already experiencing substantial growth with projects like Elgin South and Findrassie set to deliver thousands of new homes in the coming years. In comparison, Bilbohall is relatively modest in scale, prompting discussions about the possibility of additional housing developments in the Elgin High School vicinity. Moray Council has identified three neighboring areas for potential housing development, including plots behind Elgin High and near Fairfield Avenue, although no formal plans have been submitted yet.
Despite the approval of the initial Bilbohall housing plans, there are ongoing discussions about expanding the project to accommodate more homes. Originally envisioned to support 380 homes, the development has been scaled back to 194 units for the first phase. However, revised blueprints are being considered to potentially increase the size of the community to 226 homes, with a focus on addressing the region’s housing demands and catering to families and individuals with specific needs.
Worries about the impact of new housing on local services such as schools and health facilities are common concerns. While there are no immediate plans for new schools or healthcare facilities within the Bilbohall development, other projects in Elgin, such as Elgin South, are earmarked for such amenities. Moray Council and Grampian Housing Association have allocated nearly £1 million to fund improvements in healthcare services, secondary school requirements, and transportation enhancements in the area, showcasing a commitment to supporting the community’s needs.
As Elgin continues to evolve and expand, the Bilbohall development stands as a crucial piece of the town’s growth puzzle, balancing the demand for housing with the necessity of maintaining infrastructure and services. With careful planning and community collaboration, Elgin’s future looks promising, offering residents a mix of modern living spaces and essential amenities to support a thriving population.
