Step forward for Turriff supermarket
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TURRIFF is a step closer to having a new supermarket which would create around 170 jobs.
Councillors on the Formartine area committee of Aberbeenshire Council yesterday (Tuesday) agreed to grant planning permission in principle for the development at a site off the junction of Market Street and Markethill Road.
It was also agreed that the plans would be brought back before the committee at a later date for more detailed scrutiny.
Councillors debated the application following a visit to the proposed site, and heard that the store would be of similar size to the Morrisons store in Inverurie.
Turriff and district councillor Alisan Norrie said she was surprised there had not been more letters of objections.
Concern had been expressed about traffic and road safety issues as well as the effect on existing Turriff retail outlets.
Fellow Turriff councillor Anne Robertson said there were problems with transportation to and from the site as well as parking.
"If these can be adressed, I think this can be supported in principle," she added.
Another Turriff councillor, Sandy Duncan, said the feeling he got from local people was mostly positive, however Councillor Rob Merson warned that there would traffic and access issues with the site, particularly for large articulated lorries.
Councillor John Loveday suggested the possible introduction of a one-way system could alleviate the problem.
Property developer Essons Investments has submitted plans for a medium-sized 34,000 sq ft supermarket, and has said an operator would not be signed up until the plans were approved.
A spokesman for the firm has said that as well as creating around 70 local jobs, it would help prevent retail spend in Turriff from being diverted to surrounding towns.
The site is partly owned by Aberdeenshire Council as a roads depot. That would be relocated if the supermarket plans went ahead.
