Long-delayed proposals to build a new supermarket in Turriff and bring as many as 170 jobs to the north-east town could finally take a step forward tomorrow.
Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee are expected to send an application to build a 34,000sq ft food store back to local authority planners with their stamp of approval.
That would pave the way for developers to rip down the existing council depot at the corner of Market Street and Markethill Road and replace it with a store.
The planning application was originally discussed by councillors in 2011, but a lack of interest from retailers stalled the scheme.
Now, with renewed optimism in the north-east economy, developer Esson Investments is pushing ahead with the project.
In a report to councillors, local authority planning boss, Stephen Archer, says: “An operator is not known at this stage but it is anticipated that the store will sell a varied range of products, primarily food.
“The retail study identifies that Turriff is due to expand by approximately 510 households due to allocations in the Aberdeenshire local development plan 2012 and therefore the proposed medium-scale supermarket would fit the existing and future market and as such be of an appropriate scale and function to serve the settlement.”
An initial layout plan shows a supermarket with more than 200 parking spaces, however a big-brand operator could make adjustments.
In a letter to the councillors, resident Andrew Jenkins said: “We have lived here for 23 years and are concerned that this development will have an impact on the valuation of our home.”
Mr Jenkins expressed concerns about parking and heavy traffic in the area – worries that are shared by Turriff Community Council.
Last night, treasurer and former chairman, John Smith, said: “We’re not opposed to the idea of a supermarket but we are concerned about the access.
“The road up to the site is dreadful and unless it’s really thought out they may have to look at making traffic one way.”
Mr Smith added: “I take some of these job projections with a pinch of salt. You may have more part-time jobs up there, but you can kill businesses in the other parts of the town.
“One of the big advantages about Turriff is that we have very few problems with shops and shoppers. I think there are only two vacancies in the whole town centre.”