People have been reacting to the news that a new Asda supermarket has been approved for Stirling.
As reported by the Observer last week, Stirling Council’s planning panel approved, by four votes to two, an application by Ramoyle Developments Ltd for a new £20 million retail development at Crookbridge south of the Wickes DIY store.
The mixed use development includes offices (Classes 2 and 4), retail, drive-thru restaurant, car showroom and car parking.
Members were told the entire development would net 250 full-time equivalent jobs, not including construction jobs and additional jobs created by the relocated car showroom, and could even be as many as 500-600 in total.
Readers took to the Observer’s social media with their views on the decision, with a mixed bag of opinions.
Many were still concerned about the impact on the city centre.
Elizabeth Dixon said: “I just don’t understand why Stirling would grant permission for this. How much can one city eat? We have Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury.”
Stacy Paris added: “Just what we need, I mean we only have Tesco, Sainsbury, Lidl, Aldi, Waitrose and Morrisons. Would be much better to see local shops like there used to be coming back - fishmongers, butchers, greengrocers etc.”
Steve Shaddick said: “The last thing Stirling needs is another retail park. The town centre needs rejuvenated and Stirling Council should focus on that. It’s a ghost town.”
Ros Walker said: “It’s not offering anything that doesn’t exist already in that area. There is already a Morrisons out that way, plenty of takeaways and why offer more office space when there is a definite shift to home working and only occasional office use. Not really relevant and could be much more creatively used.”
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Others, however, were keen to see the site developed, particularly with a new Asda.
Daniel Bustillos said: “Based on what is in the city centre now there will not be an overlap in what is sold in the Asda and in the small shops. I agree it is not ideal but this is how economies work.”
James Stewart added: “Surprised to see it go through really, any other time Asda was involved it always seemed to be stopped by someone. Great that it’s now happening.
“Is there any large units that could meet the needs of a large supermarket like Asda though? Only unit large enough would be Debenhams but that couldn’t be done as the site couldn’t meet opening requirements really. Yes more of the empty units need to be filled but this is a problem that’s going on across the country just now as people are favouring more out-of-town areas as they are easier to access.
Betty Watt said: “Yes would be great for Asda to come to Stirling, competition is good for consumers”, while Leigh Wilson added: “Love Asda, would really like to see it in Stirling.”
Council planning officials had recommended the proposal be refused saying not enough up-to-date information had been used to show there would not be a negative impact on the city centre or that enough consideration had been given to alternative city centre sites. Seventeen objections were also lodged, including from Broomridge Community Council, Springkerse Retail Park II and the Thistles shopping centre.
Representatives for the applicants, however, said most of the council planners’ concerns stemmed from the type of retail being asked for - but that there was no likely prospect of securing bulky goods retail on the site, particularly as Stirling Development Agency had been marketing the site unsuccessfully for more than a decade.
A more detailed application for the site is expected to be submitted to the council at a later date.
