Former RAF Milltown compound approved to support power upgrades
Land at the former RAF Milltown near Lhanbryde is set for renewed activity after Moray planners granted permission for a temporary storage compound. Balfour Beatty Construction has approval to link two existing yards to create a base with a toilet block, canteen and drying room. The facility will store steel sections for towers and other materials needed to support upgrades to the electricity network, with the use anticipated to run up to 2030. The airfield is owned by Innes Trading Company Limited.
The Milltown site has a layered history. Built during the Second World War as a decoy to protect RAF Lossiemouth, it later served as a Navy deck‑landing training school until 1977 before becoming a communications station into the early 2000s. The Ministry of Defence sold the site in 2013. While earlier ideas explored large‑scale renewable generation there, the newly approved storage compound marks a practical, time‑limited industrial use linked to the region’s energy infrastructure.
Spynie Church: new plans emerge after £208,000 sale
A proposal to bring the closed Spynie Church, near Elgin, back into use has surfaced following its sale for £208,000. The building was disposed of amid Church of Scotland restructuring. Details released in the latest planning round‑up indicate a bid to transform the church, signalling a possible new chapter for a landmark that has stood silent since its congregation was wound down. Specifics of the intended end use have not been set out publicly at this stage, but the indication of a redevelopment pathway will be closely watched locally given the site’s historic and visual prominence in the landscape north of Elgin.
Across Moray, church closures have prompted difficult decisions about the future of heritage buildings. Any scheme at Spynie will need to balance modern viability with conservation, access and parking considerations, as well as address fabric repairs common to long‑closed properties. Residents will look for clarity on timelines and community benefits as plans advance through the planning system.
Outdoor learning: Buckie nursery seeks purpose‑built base
In Buckie’s rural hinterland, Buckie Little Learners Outdoor Nursery is seeking permission to establish a purpose‑built facility with wraparound childcare at Kingswood, Drybridge, at the home of Jacqueline Moore. The proposal outlines a woodland‑based approach where children spend most of their time outside, with structured play and exploration embedded in the day. The model aims to complement existing nursery provision by adding capacity and a distinctive outdoor pedagogy.
Children will spend the majority of their day outdoors, learning through nature, exploration and play in a safe woodland environment.
Should consent be granted, the development would provide families around Buckie and the coastal communities with an alternative childcare option, potentially easing pressure on traditional settings while supporting parental employment through extended hours. Planning scrutiny is expected to focus on traffic management, drop‑off arrangements, safeguarding, and environmental impact on the woodland setting.
Sport and leisure: semi‑outdoor padel courts near Moray Sports Centre
Fresh details have also emerged for plans to build two semi‑outdoor padel courts on land south of the Moray Sports Centre. Padel, a fast‑growing racket sport requiring smaller courts than tennis, has gained traction across Scotland. Locating facilities next to established sports provision could widen participation by offering an accessible, year‑round option close to Elgin’s existing activity hub. Any formal application will need to address noise, lighting, and surface water management, in addition to layout and accessibility.
At a glance: where things stand
| Project | Location | Status | Headline details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary storage compound | Former RAF Milltown, near Lhanbryde | Approved | Compound linking two yards; facilities incl. canteen and drying room; use to 2030 |
| Spynie Church transformation | Spynie, near Elgin | Plans revealed | Building sold for £208,000; prospective new use under exploration |
| Outdoor nursery facility | Kingswood, Drybridge (Buckie area) | Submitted | Purpose‑built base with wraparound childcare in woodland setting |
| Semi‑outdoor padel courts | South of Moray Sports Centre | In planning | Two courts proposed adjacent to existing leisure hub |
What this means for Moray
Together, these moves highlight three themes shaping Moray’s near‑term outlook: the continuing modernisation of the region’s energy network; pressure to expand and diversify early‑years provision; and demand for accessible sport options. The Milltown approval supports grid enhancements that underpin economic growth and the transition to renewables, albeit via a time‑limited compound. The Buckie nursery bid, if approved, would add capacity and choice for families. Meanwhile, the padel proposal points to incremental upgrades at Elgin’s sports cluster that could draw new users.
- Infrastructure: a permitted base for power upgrade logistics through to 2030 at Milltown.
- Families: an outdoor nursery plan at Drybridge aiming to broaden childcare options.
- Leisure: a potential addition of two padel courts beside Moray Sports Centre.
The forthcoming planning steps — from public consultation to detailed conditions — will determine how quickly each project progresses. Residents can expect further documentation and opportunities to comment as applications move through Moray Council’s process. For the Spynie Church scheme in particular, engagement will be key to shaping a viable future for a building that many in and around Elgin regard as part of the area’s fabric.
