Town's fury at proposal to sell land

THE Common Good land which has been home to one of the Highland league's oldest clubs for more than century could be sold off to pave the way for a major retail development.

Moray Council sparked outrage in Forres yesterday by announcing that the authority is to go out to public consultation on the possible sale of more than three hectares of community-owned land in the town where Forres Mechanics, the current holders of the Highland League Cup, have played at Mosset Park since the club was founded in 1884.

The decision was taken at a closed doors meeting of the full council in Elgin where councillors discussed the potential sale of the land for a supermarket complex.

Dr James Anderson, the chairman of Forres Mechanics Football Club, said: "The Common Good land does not belong to Moray Council. It belongs to the people of Forres."

A spokesman for Moray Council said after the conclusion of the private meeting of the authority that councillors had decided to ask the people of Forres on their views about three possible options for the 3.1 hectares of Common Good land where Mosset Park is sited.