A SPIRITUAL community is at the centre of a row with locals who fear
it is set to take over their village.
The concern is based on plans for a business and housing development
near the Findhorn Foundation in Moray.
One of the objectors is Hydro-Electric chairman Sir Michael Joughin,
who lives next door to the site for a proposed holistic health centre
and housing.
Findhorn Business Partners, the group behind the scheme, is
independent of the foundation but includes past and present members. It
also plans a business park and visitor centre.
The application has been made by Ms Judith Meynell, who runs a nearby
residential home on similar lines to the foundation centres. She was
not available for comment yesterday.
The situation has further strained the foundation's relations with
locals who have been wary of the expanding settlement since its
formation 30 years ago.
The foundation began in one caravan on wasteland. The founders claimed
that through spiritual guidance they developed a profitable vegetable
garden.
Since then, the community has grown to a huge organisation of
international standing with 200 residents and 9000 visitors each year.
The foundation runs its own caravan park and farm and owns a number of
properties around Findhorn and Forres. Its model green village includes
a range of businesses from pottery and weaving to solar panel
manufacturing and computer consultancy.
Foundation director Judy Buhler McAllister says the fear is based on
misinformation.
She said the development would be built on land outwith the foundation
and without foundation cash backing.
''Anything that happens in the area is automatically attributed to the
foundation. In fact, the plans on the table are not the foundation's.
''The concern is being expressed by the critical minority as opposed
to the silent majority.''
She said a #5m share flotation plan was put forward purely for
discussion and will not be going ahead.
However, Sir Michael said: ''The group may not be strictly and legally
part of the foundation but they are close associates of the foundation
and share their ideology.
''Findhorn cannot expand any more. In a free world, the foundation
must be allowed to do what they want within their own confines but they
must not overwhelm the rest of us.''
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