No support for new Scone supermarket

Jun 16 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LOCALS have given a resounding “no” to controversial plans for a major new supermarket in Scone, writes Les Stewart.

Scone and District Community Council delivered almost 2,000 information sheets, including a questionnaire, to residents last month.

And of the 376 so far returned, a massive 367 are opposed to the project, planned for the existing Park and Ride site near Balgarvie Farm, on the northern approaches to the village.

Only nine were in favour of the 3,500 sq. metre development.

The outline proposals have been drawn up by Edinburgh-based international property advisers GVA Grimley, on behalf of local housebuilders A&J Stephen.

Although the community council resigned in full at its meeting on May 25, it agreed to carry out the supermarket questionnaire exercise.

An information sheet was delivered to 1950 houses, along with the community council bulletin. Locals were asked to tick a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ box in reply to the question: “Do you feel there is a need for another supermarket in Scone?”

Four sealed boxes were placed in the Spar, Sweetie Shop, Scone Bakery and the Co-op and residents had two weeks to record their views.

The completed questionnaires were counted on Monday afternoon, with local Perth and Kinross Conservative Councillor Dennis Melloy acting purely as a supervisor.

The community council have already attacked the plans, claiming the benefits are far outweighed by the disadvantages.

A spokesman said: “It would kill off our local small businesses. This fact is documented by national research.

“The heart of the village would be destroyed. People to suffer most would be the elderly, who would lose the convenience of shopping close at hand, along with their familiar social contacts.

“Another supermarket would inevitably create a backflow of traffic, including delivery and service vehicles, northwards into Scone.

“It would also increase congestion and road safety and nuisance in the local area.”

And that opposition has been reflected in some of the comments on the returned questionnaires.

One angry local said: “We used to have two chemists, two full-time banks, three garages, two butchers, five grocers – all killed off by supermarkets in Perth. No more supermarkets are needed in Scone.”

Another said: “Yet again we are dismayed by Perth and Kinross Council's complete inability to do what the public need and want.

But one resident said: “The local shops are not adequate and do not cater for the whole community.”

GVA Grimley hope to lodge their plans with the council in mid-July.

Prior to that, they are organising a public exhibition, being held from 2-7pm on Thursday, June 18, at the Robert Douglas Memorial Institute, Scone.

Their proposals will include the relocation of the existing park and ride.

The facility will remain on the site but in a different area, with space reserved for its future possible expansion.

Caption: Former Scone and District Community Council member Jack Cockin counts the ballot papers on the proposed new supermarket in Scone, with Mairi Kemp and Stuart Wardrop. Also pictured is Councillor Dennis Melloy (second left) who oversaw the count held in Scone Library.