New Inverurie Sainsbury’s APPROVED as locals denied say on change

The supermarket giant will take over the Homebase store at the town's retail park on Oldmeldrum Road.

By Ben Hendry

November 19 2024, 6:00 am

The plans for a new Sainsbury's to open at the Homebase unit in Inverurie have been approved. Image: Isaac Buchan/DC Thomson

Council planning bosses have rubber-stamped fast-tracked plans to transform an Inverurie Homebase into a new Sainsbury’s supermarket.

The retail giant announced the planned takeover of the Oldmeldrum Road unit this summer.

Bosses then appealed to Aberdeenshire Council for planning bosses to bypass the usual procedures in place for opening a new supermarket.

Sainsbury's still have to overcome a few planning hurdles before they can open up in Inverurie. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson — Sainsbury’s will now be able to open up in Inverurie. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

Usually, there will be the chance for locals and relevant bodies to have their say on a shop opening.

But this time, they argued that the unit currently operated by Homebase was granted “unrestricted” permission – as long as it stays a shop.

Will new supermarket cause car park chaos?

Since the appeal was lodged, Inverurie town centre champion Derek Ritchie has voiced concerns that the takeover would change things at the retail park.

Derek fears that the retail park won't be able to cope with the influx of shoppers. Image: Darrell Benns/ Roddie Reid/ DC Thomson — Derek Ritchie fears that the retail park won’t be able to cope with the influx of shoppers. Image: Darrell Benns/ Roddie Reid/ DC Thomson

The chairman of the Inverurie Business Improvement District (Bid) group warned that the Sainsbury’s was likely to attract “five times” the number of shoppers that Homebase does.

This, he contended, would lead to chaos in the already-congested car park there.

Why has council backed the change?

However, Aberdeenshire Council has now issued its verdict – giving the supermarket free rein to start work on the site.

A report states that this particular type of application was “not eligible” for public comment, and no consultations took place with other departments.

It adds: “There are no conditions restricting the type of retail goods to be sold from Unit 2 (Homebase).

“The planning service is satisfied that the retail use of the building falls within the permitted uses.”