Farmfoods Inverurie plan gets the green light
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Scottish based frozen food retailer Farmfoods plans to create a new build store in the heart of Inverurie has been given the green light despite opposition from planners.
The new proposal came after the company closed it previous premises at North Street back in March 2020, citing the lack of space within the small unit.
Addressing the members of the Garioch area committee on Tuesday morning, planning officer Helen Atkinson said that the application did not meet the requirements of the Local Development Plan (OP2 site) which was a prominent town centre site for mixed use including affordable housing and that there were elements of the final design and finish which they also objected to.
Speaking for Farmfoods, Alistair Kay Farmfood's property manager said: "Farmfoods have 40 year association with Inverurie and have been looking to return after our lease ended on our site at North Street.
"Our application overcomes previous issues with this site and is complaint with all the relevant policy.
"Since the site was marketed in 2017 no one has come forward with a viable application nor a community asset transfer.
"We wish to raise an appropriate applications for the site which will complement established companies in the town, none of whom have opposed this.
"We do not have pre-set model for delivery, all our modern sites are made to fit surroundings and ours is a flagship store using local stone.
"Farmfoods have made a commitment to Inverurie by purchasing this brown field site which will be looked after by its owner occupier."
Opening the debate councillor Judy Whyte said: "This application has many merits as the site is constrained and they have made an excellent job at keeping it as a low building and of low density.
"It also offers off-street delivery as well which has merit and it adds to the mix in the town centre.
The views were reflected by fellow councillor Neil Baillie: "This is an interesting update on a challenging site.
"I'm in favour of seeing growth in our towns and its natural that businesses that have a previous association with the town would like to try to return with modern premises.
Councillor Glen Reid was the voice of dissent and said: "It is a good application but doesn't meet with the LDP which we have met and argued about over the expectations.
"I am inclined to refuse but happy to defer for information on small unit availability and affordable housing levels."
Promoting the site and moving for its accpetance, Councillor Dominic Lonchay said: "The LDP is advisory, we've voted against the LDP plenty of times before.
"The planners objection over design has been addressed, there are other shops nearby that are almost identical.
"Edict from the Scottish Government is to refuse out of town shopping - this is in town and with teh cost of living crisis a lot of people will welcome retailer back."
The motion to accept the application was made by councillor Lonchay, with councillor Reid looking to refuse, but his amendment received no seconder and the motion for acceptance was approved.
The vacant site at Constitution Street, which adjoins Burn Lane was the location for the former Health Centre which was demolished several years ago.
