A supermarket and hotel development could end a “monopoly” held by one retailer in a Mearns town, it was claimed last night.
Plans by the FM Group for a 50-bedroom hotel, restaurant and supermarket on the Ury Estate went before local residents and councillors last night.
The developer is behind further plans for an £80million Jack Nicklaus golf resort at the site.
Currently Stonehaven is home to three Co-operative stores on David Street, Kirkton Road and Redcloak Drive.
Spokesman for the FM Group, Derek Pirouet, said: “The Co-op has enjoyed a monopoly for many years with three stores around the town centre. The development will not see the death of Stonehaven business but an opportunity to piggy-back off the town centre. it is an optomisitc outlook, but why shouldn’t it be?”
A Co-operative spokesman said: “It will hurt the town centre. People will take the decision to go to the out of town store.”
However Stonehaven man Leslie Bowman said he has safety concerns around the development, citing increased traffic in the area near his home.
He added: “I am here as a concerned resident of Stonehaven and IÂ speak from the bottom of my heart to object this proposals.
“All those extra lorries, all those extras cars, it is going to make life very difficult for me and my grandchildren.”
The FM Group said a new link road through the estate, leading onto the Netherley Road, would lessen the impact on local infrastructure.
Stonehaven and District Community Council’s vice-chairman, Phil Mills-Bishop, said: “We do feel there is an access problem of vehicles coming in and out of the estate. We support this application, we do with some reservations.”
The FM Group’s plans for 90 homes and an 18-hole golf course designed by US golfer Jack Nicklaus are also expected to go before councillors later this year.
They were the subject of a pre-determination meeting in January.