Dear Bellman
I am reliably informed that Tesco intend to appeal the decision to refuse their application for a supermarket in Stonehaven (see editor’s note below). That decision was made by a majority of 7/6, the seven being councillors from öutwith Stonehaven. Had I been one of the seven, I would have deferred to the local councillors on the not-unreasonable assumption that they know the local needs and have the best interests of the Town at heart.
The seven, to me, demonstrated comparative ignorance and arrogance. Comparative ignorance, because I assume that they know less about Stonehaven than the six, and arrogance in that they are, in effect, saying that they “know better” what is in the interests of the Town. It would not be unreasonable to assume that these seven would be upset if Stonehaven Councillors voted against a proposal, say for Inverurie or Banff.
I am told that Councillor Agnew was suspended not long before the meeting about Tesco. Her suspension may have been justified: I do not know, but, if it is the case that the suspension related to remarks made two years ago, one wonders at the timing. A coincidence— you may think so, I could not possibly comment.
It was to be anticipated that the Co-op would oppose Tesco’s application, but one other objection came from those developing the Ury Estate site for which a supermarket is proposed. Did the seven visit the site, or did they feel that their knowledge of Stonehaven was such that a visit was unnecessary? If they did not visit the site, one has to assume that they accepted at face value any statement made by the developers about the progress in relation to their proposed supermarket and any necessary adjuncts. A site visit might have had the unfortunate outcome of making their footwear dirty.
Tesco’s appeal will undoubtedly focus, in part, on the actions of the “magnificent” seven. It is to be hoped that the Scottish Government Reporter will not be taken in by the reasons provided by them. In some instances, such a Reporter may visit the site and so would be better able to assess the needs of the Town.
Some local people are, understandably, annoyed by the decision. I am not annoyed for the simple reason that I have long since ceased to be surprised by anything done, or more often, not done by Aberdeenshire Council, almost exclusively not by the Councillors, but by those who “serve” us.
Douglas J. Cusine
Editor’s note – as yet, The Bellman is unaware of any decided course of action by the developer Ashfield Commercial Developments, following the refusal of planning permission by Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee.