Forfar’s multi-million-pound Asda superstore has been given the planning green light after town councillors found themselves out on a limb in opposing the development.
Backing local critics who said the creation of the 4475 square metre store would tear the heart out of the burgh, Forfar members Colin Brown and Glennis Middleton put political differences aside to unite against the proposal.
Mrs Middleton had no vote on the outcome since she is not a member of the development standards committee, but despite agreeing with her plea, Mr Brown was a lone voice of protest when the matter was determined on Thursday.
Demolition work is already under way on the site, where 16 flats will also be built.
The supermarket giant hailed approval for a store which they hope will create more than 250 jobs, bring a £20 million-plus annual turnover and take the trade war to rival Tesco, which it has been claimed is scooping up more than 70% of Forfar’s shopping spend.
The principle of a superstore on the site of the former Angus Council HQ was established at a Scottish Government appeal and, with an approval recommendation from officials, other committee members said they were confident Asda’s arrival will not be the feared hammer blow to Forfar town centre.
That view is not shared by the local figures and Mrs Middleton said she was disappointed the Asda bid had not been put before a meeting of the full council for consideration.
She said, “I realise this meets policy but I think this will have a significant impact-and that impact will be felt by our local independent shopkeepers.
“I do not believe Forfar can tolerate two supermarkets one at each end of our main street that will become a corridor and nothing else.”‘Death knell’Mrs Middleton also put officials under attack over conditions that will see Asda contribute money to improve the West Port traffic lights and provide open space.
She said, “Forfar has been sold for £38,000 for a store that says it will have a turnover of £24 million surely the compensation should be a little more than £30,000 for a set of traffic lights and £8000 for open space.
Mr Brown said, “My biggest concern it this new store being in probably the most congested part of the town.
“We already have the choice of six supermarket-type shops and I don’t think there’s a need for another.”
He added, “I would not like to see the heart of our town disappear and I feel this could be the death knell for the shops there
“The only positive is that this new store would be competition for the existing large store in town, but I don’t believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.”
Town centre businessman Charles Jarvis highlighted a string of business closures in recent years and said the store development would be “an absolute disaster for the town.”
But in support of the firm’s application, Asda’s representative told the committee the firm believed strongly that there was “a qualitative and quantitative need for a new food store in Forfar.”
She suggested the impact on Forfar town centre would be less than 2% and the main impact would be felt by Tesco, which as an out-of-centre store is afforded no planning protection.
Alliance councillor David Fairweather told the committee, “If you had offered me this in Arbroath I would have bitten your hand off and for us not to go ahead with this what an opportunity Forfar would be losing.”
Asda’s plans for the 2.6 hectare (6.5 acre) brownfield site were described by Councillor Alison Andrews as “an imaginative and helpful form of progress using a site that is of no benefit to anyone at the moment”, and council leader Bob Myles predicted a boost for the town centre.
He said, “I would have thought that in a lot of respects this is a benefit it will give competition to another superstore and I can’t see the fears realised that have been highlighted by the shopkeepers.”
The supermarket firm welcomed the approval decision and revealed it hopes to have the doors to the store open in the autumn.
Sarah Mills, acting property communications manager for Scotland said, “Asda is delighted that Angus Council has given its consent.
“Our proposals will bring a disused site next to the town centre back into commercial use and will create hundreds of job opportunities.”
She added, “We have been delighted by the support we have received from the local community.
“We want to ensure that local businesses and residents can benefit from the procurement, supply and employment opportunities that the supermarket will bring to the town.”