Five years and still no Tesco!
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ANGRY Thurso residents have urged Highland Council not to award Tesco an extension to planning permission to build a new supermarket in the town after five years of inaction.
The permission the supermarket giant was granted in 2007 for its Ormlie Road site expired yesterday but it has asked for a three-year extension.
But locals have balked at the idea, given Tesco has already admitted it is considering ditching construction plans and selling off the land.
The Groat asked the public on its North of Scotland Newspapers Facebook site on Wednesday whether Tesco should be allowed a further three years.
As we went to press, 57 messages had been posted with users unanimously voicing their disapproval.
It follows a bid by Tesco to start tidying up the site this week.
Former Thurso Community Council vice-chairman Bert MacLeod led the voice of discontent, arguing the supermarket has let the people of Thurso down.
“For years I have said to people and to Tesco themselves that all they were doing was land-banking to prevent further competition moving in,” he said.
“Five years have now passed and if a company of that size can’t begin construction, then they should not be allowed an extension.
“If an ordinary member of the public had been given five-year planning permission to build a house and had not even started construction, they would not be considered for an extension.”
Tesco received planning permission in 2007 to build the development, comprising a new supermarket with a four-pump petrol station, car park and new access. The building was due to open by spring 2011 and create 60 new jobs on top of the current workforce in the town of 90.
However, at a public exhibition held at the firm’s existing Millbank store in December, it said the recession had delayed its plans and the two options it was actively exploring involved either building a new supermarket or selling the Ormlie site.
Corporate affairs manager Gloria Coats said work had taken place at the former mart site this week to tidy it up and, despite Tesco reapplying for planning permission, she could not confirm if there are any plans to start building.
“We’re working to ensure the greatest opportunity for development on the site,” she said. “Implementing the consent will allow either Tesco or another developer to develop a superstore. We will update the local community and customers when our plans and timescales have been finalised.”
The Millbank shop was put on the market in 2011 but Tesco has stated it is committed to retaining a presence in the town – if it doesn’t build a new supermarket at Ormlie, its existing store will be taken off the market.
Acting community council chairman Don Smith said the issue has left its members divided but agreed people have a right to feel let down.
“There are members who understand why their plans have been delayed but also some who want to see the back of it,” he said.
“To Tesco’s credit they are keeping in touch with us regarding the latest developments and we are prepared to wait and see what decision Highland Council takes.”
Thurso Highland councillor Roger Saxon would be inclined to turn down planning permission but said that would leave a problem with what could be done with the land.
“The question that needs to be asked is if they are granted the extension is, are they serious about building a supermarket?” he said.
“There is no rush to grant the extension and I would like them to apply for full planning permission with a proper design of what the supermarket would look like.”
A decision regarding the extension is due later this year.
