THE developer behind Tesco’s efforts to come to Stonehaven has confirmed a fresh set of plans will be produced for land close to the AWPR – and has launched a public consultation into their proposals.
Last August, Ashfield Land were refused planning permission for a Tesco store after a knife-edge vote by Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee. Councillors feared the cumulative impact on Stonehaven’s town centre of two stores – the already consented site at Ury Estate and the proposed Tesco store.
Public Consultation Starts for New Tesco Superstore in Stonehaven
Now, Ashfield Land have submitted a new Proposal of Application Notice for the site at New Mains of Ury, which they say is backed by new data supporting the need for a larger main food superstore in the town.
The developers are asking the public to provide feedback and suggestions on the proposal at public exhibitions on Thursday 26th February and Thursday 26th March between 3pm-8pm at the Station Hotel in Stonehaven.
Following the consultation, Ashfield Land will be resubmitting a planning application for the superstore which will include an EV charging hub. To support the planning application Ashfield Land commissioned a new independent report on shopping habits in and around Stonehaven. It surveyed 460 people and found a strong need for a new main food superstore in the town.
The study found:
- fewer than 3% of Stonehaven residents do their main food shop in the town centre1
- tens of millions of pounds in potential local spending “leaks” away to towns like Montrose, Portlethen and Banchory every year
- online convenience spending in Stonehaven is around double the UK average, as residents struggle to find what they need locally
Steven McGarva, managing director at Ashfield Land, said: “To ensure we have reliable and up-to-date shopping data we commissioned an independent report.
“Stonehaven is the largest town in Scotland with no main food superstore and there is a longstanding identified need for a new store to serve the people of Stonehaven.
“The report clearly shows that Stonehaven town centre is a thriving town, is not reliant on main food shopping for its vitality and viability and would not be impacted by more than one large supermarket.
“We firmly believe that the New Mains of Ury site represents the best opportunity to deliver a modern superstore that meets the needs of the local community and provides new jobs, significant investment in the local economy and business rates contributions.”
News hot on heels of Ury Estate announcement
If their proposals get the go-ahead, Ashfield Land say Stonehaven residents could be shopping in the new Tesco by late 2027.
Their news comes hot on the heels of Ury Estate’s announcement of soon-to-be-struck deals with both Aldi and Marks & Spencer for their site off Slug Road.
At last night’s meeting of Stonehaven and District Community Council, members heard the latest update from Jonathan Milne including assurances work would soon be starting on the link road and affordable housing.
Secretary David Lawman noted correspondence from Ashfield stating their intention to resubmit their plans.
”We have been waiting so long for Stonehaven to have a supermarket – it’s like buses now,” he said.