STONEHAVEN and District Community Council, SDCC, issued a clear message to our councillors this week, that they support proposals for a supermarket at New Mains of Ury and believe the majority of the town’s residents do too.
Ashfield Commercial Developments are seeking full planning permission for the erection of a retail store, electric vehicle charging hub and Class 3 cafe/restaurant with associated car parking, servicing, landscaping and access at New Mains of Ury – Tesco have agreed to operate the store.
It is expected the application will come before the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee at their meeting next month – before the next SDCC meeting.
Planning officers have not yet submitted their report on Tesco’s bid to come to Stonehaven, but communications shared by interested parties reveal there will be a recommendation permission is refused.
Local place plan findings
At Tuesday night’s meeting of SDCC, there was discussion about the planning policies indicated as grounds for refusal – it would be an out of town development and a town centre first approach is required – how long would it take you to walk to New Mains of Ury?
But it is a clear desire for a second supermarket in Stonehaven that won the day for SDCC.
Rachel Frame referred to the 2023 Local Place Plan consultation. In one question, residents were asked how important it would be to develop a supermarket on another site if the retail store proposed at Ury Estate was not delivered. Of 965 respondents, 80.7% said this would be very important.
Jim Stephen said: ”We have to champion our needs for this town. This town requires a supermarket.”
The discussion ended with SDCC asking Councillors to support the application on the basis of the findings of the Local Place Plan.