Murdo Fraser calls for Scottish Government to hold supermarket study

Jan 1 2010 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

MSP Murdo Fraser has called for the Scottish Government to carry out supermarket impact studies.

Following the decision by Perth and Kinross Council to give the go ahead to a new supermarket to be built adjacent to Scone’s park-and-ride scheme, Mr Fraser has asked the government to look at how a new store affects towns and cities during parliamentary questions.

In response, Stewart Stevenson, minister of transport and infrastructure, stated: “No such studies have been undertaken. In the event of a planning application for a new supermarket being made, the impact on the existing town or city centre would be one of a number of considerations taken into account by the planning authority in reaching a decision.”

Commenting afterwards, Mr Fraser said: “Perth and Kinross Council has given the go ahead to a new supermarket on the outskirts of Perth, near Scone.

“A new supermarket in any town or city will have a knock-on effect to the current shops and businesses in the area.

“That is why I want the SNP Government to carry out studies into the impact of a supermarket as they have admitted that they have no information or studies on the matter.

“I believe that any decision on a new supermarket has to have the majority of local residents and businesses backing the plan.

“That is why I hope local residents and businesses in Perth and Scone will have a large say on this supermarket’s development now that it has been given the go ahead by the council.

He added: “We must have thriving town centres across Perth and Kinross, and Perth must act as the centre of shopping instead of people in the area going off to Dundee or further afield.

Any new developments must enhance the area and not cause more competition for our local businesses.”