Consultation seeks views on new supermarket development in Banff
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The communities of Banff, Macduff and the surrounding area are being asked for their views on plans to use common good land for a supermarket development.
Supermarket firm Morrisons was named as the preferred bidder for the project, which could see a new store and other facilities built on Canal Park in Banff.
The development would involve the creation of a supermarket, café, filling station, car wash, and parking on land at Canal Park/Old Market Place.
The area of ground and buildings proposed for the project lies to the west of the Deveron Bridge and currently features a grass football pitch (Canal Park), pavilion, and the former Bridge Street Community Centre.
The land also includes three redundant tennis courts and a basketball court but the adjacent Princess Royal Park does not form part of the project.
As a large portion of the site is designated as ‘common good land’, part of the procedure for the proposed sale requires the council to consult with the community and invite views for consideration before a decision is made.
The consultation is now open and will run until Wednesday, June 30, and there’s a variety of ways to get involved.
Full details about the consultation can be found on the Aberdeenshire Council’s website.
And a virtual exhibition space has been created online, allowing visitors to access a range of materials.
As well as the consultation documents, the exhibition space has images, a video slideshow and other information about the common good process and how views can be shared. The platform can be accessed directly at https://CanalPark.Consultation.ai
Those who do not have access to the internet can request a paper copy of the consultation documents by contacting the Banff and Buchan Area Office on 01467 530700.
Comments on the proposals can also be emailed to canalparkconsultation@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Acting area manager David MacLennan said: "We’re pleased to be at a stage where we can invite people to comment on the proposed development at Canal Park.
"As we’re not able to hold public meetings at the moment, the virtual space has been designed to give the feeling of an exhibition you might find in a local hall. It has all the information people would expect to find and is easy to navigate.
"We’re keen to hear from all sections of the community, from individuals to local groups, and we look forward to hearing people’s thoughts on the proposals."
Once the consultation has ended, the views collected will be shared with the Banff and Buchan area committee.
If the committee then decides to support the sale of the land, court approval would need to be secured.
Proceeds from any sale of the land would be passed to the council’s Common Good Fund, with the money reserved for the benefit of the Banff and Macduff under the council’s Common Good Fund.
