Save Our Canal Park and Deveronvale Community Football Club vow to continue fight against building of Morrisons on common good land in Banff
TWO local groups have vowed to continue to fight against plans for Morrisons to build a store at Canal Park in Banff.
The supermarket chain last week unveiled its plans for the new store, which it says will bring 120 jobs to the area.
Morrisons' proposed development also includes a brand-new petrol station and car park, with the shop to offer a specialist butcher, baker and fishmonger.
James Smith, senior development manager at Morrisons, said the plans will create "valued employment" and "improve shopping choice" in the town.
However, many residents have long since expressed concerns about the supermarket's location – which is on common good land that the council agreed to sell in August.
Save Our Canal Park, set up in April 2021, is one group that has been strongly opposed to the development.
Rachel Kennedy, the group's founder, made clear that members are not against the idea of a new supermarket in the town, but believe this is the wrong location.
"The local community is very keen to have a new supermarket, but this is simply the wrong site," she said.
"Save Our Canal Park is about preventing the sale of a valuable community asset and part of our local heritage.
"It's a well-used playing field. We do not want this common good land to be sold for development.
"It's our intention to fight the application to sell the land and we will be objecting at the planning stage.
"We are keen to make people aware that it's not too late to raise their concerns and encourage them to have their say with Morrisons."
More than 400 youngsters, aged between three and 18, at Deveronvale Community Football Club currently use Canal Park on a weekly basis.
The club has seven competitive 11-a-side teams – and head of youth development Kevin Stewart said resources are already stretched, with some girls at the club already forced to train in Portsoy.
"Canal Park is the only suitable grass pitch in Banff, with others the wrong size or in poor condition," Mr Stewart explained.
"If we lose Canal Park then I struggle to see where we go from there. Our message is to leave the park alone – it's not for sale and must remain as a community asset.
"We are not saying no to new businesses in the town – the majority of people would love to have a Morrisons in Banff – but this is not the right location.
"A lot of concerned parents have contacted me and said we need to fight against this and we will fight this case at every opportunity we have.
"We still believe we are in a very strong position to take ownership of the facility and provide a grass pitch that is fit for purpose now and for future generations."
In addition to Deveronvale Community Football Club, Macduff AFC, Banff Rovers and Deveronvale – among others – regularly use Canal Park.
A planning application for Morrisons is due to be submitted to Aberdeenshire Council shortly.
Morrisons is encouraging local residents to have their say, either via their newly-created consultation website at morrisons-banff.co.uk or when leaflets drop through doors in the coming days and weeks.
The supermarket's senior development manager James Smith said: “This application gives a wonderful opportunity to deliver a brand-new, purpose-built Morrisons store in Banff, with all the benefits that will bring to the community.
"Our investment will create valued local employment and improve shopping choice for local residents.
“We want to hear your views so please visit the consultation website for more information and to let us know what you think of the plans.”
