Highland Council/Sainsbury's

[COACHMAN]

Highland council today have passed Planning for a Sainsburys store in Nairn a town smaller than Thurso .
Pity they messed ASDA planning in Thurso up.

[bekisman]

That's good news as judging by the pre-history it was in the balance - at least someone is waking up to the fact we want more choice!:

(30th May) A SUPERMARKET development which could challenge Tesco's dominance of the Inverness area economy is being recommended for refusal Sainsbury's proposals for a store and petrol station on land opposite Nairn's Balmakeith Industrial Estate, will be decided by Highland councillors on Tuesday.
However, planning officials are advising that the development be turned down as it breaches the local plan.

Yesterday Inverness MP Danny Alexander called on the local authority to take into consideration the need for competition in the area, while Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon described as unbelievable the difficulty competitors to Tesco faced in securing planning permission.
"Councillors will have to give all sides of the argument detailed consideration," Mr Alexander said. "Whatever their decision is in this particular case, there is a well-established case for much greater choice and stronger competition in the retail sector around Inverness and Nairn.
"I hope Highland Council will work over time to bring a greater variety of stores to the area and to ensure that small independent shops, especially in town centres, are also able to compete on a level playing field."
Mrs Scanlon said there was clear public support for greater choice and competitive fuel prices. "It does appear that there is support within Highland Council to maintain Inverness's reputation as the Tesco capital of the United Kingdom," she said.
Asda's application for a supermarket at Slackbuie in Inverness is due to be considered at a public inquiry next month after councillors granted planning permission against the advice of officials, who stated it was contrary to the local plan.
Sainsbury's wants to build a 45,000 square feet store similar in size to the Tesco store at Inshes on the south side of the A96 on the eastern edge of Nairn. But planners are recommending refusal on the grounds it is contrary to the local plan, which identifies the need for a new supermarket within the town centre.
Officials believe development on the outskirts could have an adverse impact on high street businesses.
Mrs Scanlon, a list MSP for the Highlands and Islands, is now calling on elected members to act. "Asda has been refused permission to set up a store in Thurso. It is now being challenged by Tesco for a store in Tain and now Asda is having to go to a public inquiry for its plans for a store in Inverness.
"It would be quite shocking if Sainsbury's was not given some form of outline planning permission for Nairn. There may be good reason but I know many residents in Nairn were delighted to hear that Sainsbury's might be coming.
"It is time planners and the councillors started listening to the local consumers who are desperate for some choice."
Sainsbury's outline planning application will be heard by Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications and Review Committee. Representatives from the food retailer and applicant, Pettifer Estates, will attend the meeting and put their case forward.
A spokesman for Sainsbury's said wide consultation with the public in Nairn had been positive and showed support for a supermarket and petrol station in the area.
He said many people from the town travelled to supermarkets in Inverness and Elgin, adding a Sainsbury's would draw people to the town.
Although the company was disappointed at the planners recommendation, it remained hopeful of a positive result.
"The officer's refusal is based purely on the local plan, which is now several years old and is due for review shortly," the spokesman added. "We have demonstrated not only the massive economic benefit that Sainsbury's would bring to Nairn but also that the local community are overwhelmingly in favour of our proposals."
More than 200 jobs full and part-time would be created.
Sainsbury's has also been looking at sites in Inverness.
A council spokeswoman said all planning applications were judged individually on their planning merits.
* Somerfield was given permission earlier this year to expand its store in the centre of Nairn.
http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/6230/Sainsbury's_store_plan_suffers_blow.html (http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/6230/Sainsbury's_store_plan_suffers_blow.html)

[rfr10]

Personally, I wouldn't have anything against another giant supermarket in Caithness but I think it's a waste of time taking into consideration the number of people who actually live in Caithness. There is only really a need for one huge supermarket. It is surley only necessary to do a once-a-week shop in these big supermarkets, therefore, for all the time it's going to take to travel to Wick, why is there a need for nother big supermarket chain to arrive?

[Alice in Blunderland]

why is there a need for nother big supermarket chain to arrive?


To prevent a monopoly in the future I would hazzard a guess. ;)

[rfr10]

To prevent a monopoly in the future I would hazzard a guess. ;)

That doesn't answer why it is of any benefit to us though. :Razz