WHEN Councillors consider Tesco’s bid for a supermarket in Stonehaven this week, they must bear in mind the existing consent for an as yet unbuilt store at Ury Estate and the possiblity the town ends up with two out-of-town retail stores.
Their thoughts following the presentation of two differing retail impact assessments could tip the balance as they make their decision.
On Tuesday, the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee will determine Ashfield Commercial Develoments’ application for the erection of an electric vehicle charging hub with class 3 café/restaurant and retail store with associated car parking, servicing, landscaping and access and associated works – otherwise known as a Tesco supermarket.
The recommendation from planners is to refuse.
Planners aim to protect the town centre from a cumulative impact
Planning officers have raised several concerns but the main problem is: FM Developments already have planning permission for a store at Ury Estate. It’s not built yet, but the permission still stands.
If another store gains permission this brings the possiblity Stonehaven would one day have two out-of-town supermarkets in addition to our existing Co-op store on David Street. What would this do to the town’s small traders?
This is where matters get subjective.
Aberdeenshire Council have employed an independent consultant to look at this application.
They state: ”The fact is that, despite the dominance of supermarkets for convenience shopping
in the 21st century, there still remain shoppers who purchase their principal food/convenience
shopping from smaller shops and, in Stonehaven town centre this accounts for 3% of main food
shopping expenditure, with a further 16% from the Co-op at David Street.
”The reasons for this are varied but will include both those who choose/prefer smaller shops to supermarkets and, in particular, those who are not able to access easily a large modern supermarket. Whereas the former are less likely to switch to new supermarkets within Stonehaven the latter group will, in all likelihood, find the two supermarkets attractive and switch spend from the town centre to the new stores.”
Meanwhile Tesco have also employed a team of experts.
They state: ”In providing an indicative cumulative assessment it must be assumed that the influence of Stonehaven on shopping patterns would alter significantly from the current position if two new modern supermarkets were available.
”Given the location of the potential supermarkets and the new link road and housing that would then be in place on the Ury Estate, Stonehaven would be a very different place than it is today with a large town expansion area, new road infrastructure and new residents. The two new stores would also be the most up to date stores developed in this area for many years and as such Stonehaven would benefit from this increased activity and investment.”
These are very small snippets from a lengthy exchange of documents as the consultants have made great efforts to highlight issues and respond to each other’s opinions.
By Tuesday, our Councillors should have read all the documents, will hear from a range of speakers including planning officers, representatives of the applicant and Stonehaven and District Community Council. There will be time to ask questions and take on board all the information – and only then, should they start the debate and make their determination on what is best for Stonehaven’s shoppers and our town centre.