New plans for a major development at Stonehaven, which proposes to create 1,200 jobs and a “desperately” needed supermarket will go on public display for the first time this week.
If approved, land north of the town at New Mains of Ury at the junction of the A90 road and the yet-to-be-built Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) would transform a site containing old farm buildings into a supermarket, petrol station, restaurant or cafe as well as a 60-bed hotel.
A neighbouring site would host a global headquarters and possible research and development facility, which could be an attractive opportunity for oil-related businesses struggling to find prime locations around Aberdeen, according to the Sluie Estate Trust who are behind the proposals.
David Strang Steel, the site’s promoter and farmer, said that more than one global firm has shown interest and the Sluie Estate Trust are in “advanced talks” with one company.
He said: “They see an untapped labour market in south Aberdeenshire and Angus where there are more people looking for work than in places like Westhill and Inverurie. There are also excellent transport links by road and rail with almost every north-east train stopping in Stonehaven.”
Previously, Mr Strang Steel was involved in trying to establish a supermarket at a site, known locally as “field 52” which ultimately did not go ahead.
From this experience he has said that the people of Stonehaven “desperately” want a supermarket. His proposal could also serve wider communities such as St Cyrus, Inverbervie and Laurencekirk.
While the need for a supermarket in Stonehaven is widely accepted, concerns have been raised about the New Mains of Ury site.
Douglas Samways, chairman of the Stonehaven Town Partnership, said: “We are concerned about the impact that a development on the edge of town would have on the town centre and there’s evidence from other places that this can draw people out.”
The plans, which were submitted as a bid for the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2016, include 54 allotment plots to the east of the A90 Aberdeen-Dundee road as well as a provision for housing adjacent to the supermarket for 2020 or later.
The community consultation exhibition will take place on Friday between 11.30am and 6.30pm at Stonehaven Town Hall.