Renewed plans are afoot to bring an Asda store to Stirling – but smaller than one originally proposed.
Ramoyle Developments say around 90 direct new jobs (full time equivalent) could be created during the initial construction phase followed by an additional 100 full- and part-time roles when the store opens for business.
And they claim 200 current jobs would be safeguarded by the relocation of a car showroom and local business.
The local firm’s proposals would see investment of around £40million in the Crookbridge site, south of the Wickes DIY store, with the provision of a new 50,000 sq ft Asda, a refuelling and electric vehicle charging hub and a new home for Morrisons Landrover.
Business space will also be provided as part of the scheme including the new head office for Ramoyle.
The plans also include rerouting the National Cycle route through the development and into Springkerse Retail Park via a new cycle and pedestrian crossing.
A planning application, including a larger Asda than now proposed, was approved by Stirling Council last year.
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But Scottish Ministers overturned the decision in November due to concerns the foodstore may detract from the city centre.
The developers said this week they were now “confident these concerns have been addressed and overcome” in the new proposals.
A spokesperson added: “The new Asda will provide healthy competition with other supermarkets, but is not of a scale that it will have any significant impact on city centre traders.
“Rather, it will provide an improved choice of food shopping for Stirling’s residents.
“New retail investment would also contribute significantly to meeting demand from local people keen to have increased access to more budget brands and complement the area’s existing range of retailers.”
A series of public consultations will be held by Ramoyle in the coming months. A planning application is expected to follow and, if approved, onsite construction work could start in Spring 2024.
Ramoyle managing director
Jim Turnbull said: “We are delighted to unveil our revised plans for the development with our partners at Asda and John Clark Motor Group.
“It was disappointing that the original application was refused, however, given the further work and consultations it is clear that another foodstore at Springkerse would have no negative impact on the town centre or the Thistle Marches as it is a different shopping experience with a different range of goods.
“We expect that the new Asda will encourage more people from further afield to shop in Stirling and in turn visit the town centre as part of that trip.
“It is great that despite earlier setbacks Asda remain committed to Stirling, which will provide much-needed shopping choice for local residents.
“We were overwhelmed by the local support for our
original plans and hope as many people as possible take part
in the public consultation and look forward to sharing and discussing our plans further with all parties.”
In January 2022 Ramoyle Developments Ltd’s original plans – for offices, retail, drive-thru restaurant, car showroom and car parking, including an Asda superstore – were approved by Stirling Council’s planning panel by four votes to two, contrary to the recommendation of its planning officials.
However, the Scottish Government then called in the planning application for review, giving ministers the final say, as they said the proposal could have implications for retail policy across Scotland and their “town centre first” approach.
The ministers had agreed that, in terms of the superstore, there were no preferable, suitable and available sites in Stirling, which could accommodate a retail unit of the size and type proposed.
But in the decision, they added: “It has not been possible to conclude that the proposed development would not have significant or unacceptable impacts on the vitality and viability of network centres, and principally the city centre.
“The proposed development would bring economic benefits through investment and employment. However, these benefits do not outweigh the potential for significant impacts on the vitality and viability of any other centres.”
