Asda has been left fuming after Tesco was given the go-ahead for a fourth store in the original Tesco Town of Inverness, while Asda has been unable to get plans for even a single store past planning officials.
Despite the Highland council receiving 1,400 letters of support for the store, principal planning officer Ken McCorquodale told The Grocer Asda's application was rejected because it treated local development plans "with contempt", whereas Tesco had submitted suitable plans for the area. "Asda's proposal," said McCorquodale of the 45,000 sq ft store, "was super-sized. We hadn't allocated for such a big development on the site. "If it had come forward with a smaller store, there would have been little or no problem. The public are quite supportive, but that is not something the planning service can take account of. Asda tends to play on kerb appeal, but its applications are always challenging to development plans. In some respects it treats development plans with contempt."
Last week the council's area planning committee voted 8-4 in favour of the proposed 8,490 sq ft Tesco Metro store in the Ness area of the city. The development will include four smaller shops, a petrol station, a community building and public square.
After Asda appealed the decision this spring, a public inquiry by the Scottish Government was delayed until February 2009.
Asda remains hopeful the Scottish Government will allow the store to be built eventually. "We are working hard to get this store because people want the choice and competition, " a spokeswoman said.
She added that plans were appropriate because the store would serve the wider area rather than just the immediate community.
Asda CEO Andy Bond said planning regulations were his biggest bugbear. "It is a travesty that only 20% of consumers can shop at all four supermarkets. It's proven that where there is an Asda in the area, prices are lower. We are a force for good at this time."
Despite the Highland council receiving 1,400 letters of support for the store, principal planning officer Ken McCorquodale told The Grocer Asda's application was rejected because it treated local development plans "with contempt", whereas Tesco had submitted suitable plans for the area. "Asda's proposal," said McCorquodale of the 45,000 sq ft store, "was super-sized. We hadn't allocated for such a big development on the site. "If it had come forward with a smaller store, there would have been little or no problem. The public are quite supportive, but that is not something the planning service can take account of. Asda tends to play on kerb appeal, but its applications are always challenging to development plans. In some respects it treats development plans with contempt."
Last week the council's area planning committee voted 8-4 in favour of the proposed 8,490 sq ft Tesco Metro store in the Ness area of the city. The development will include four smaller shops, a petrol station, a community building and public square.
After Asda appealed the decision this spring, a public inquiry by the Scottish Government was delayed until February 2009.
Asda remains hopeful the Scottish Government will allow the store to be built eventually. "We are working hard to get this store because people want the choice and competition, " a spokeswoman said.
She added that plans were appropriate because the store would serve the wider area rather than just the immediate community.
Asda CEO Andy Bond said planning regulations were his biggest bugbear. "It is a travesty that only 20% of consumers can shop at all four supermarkets. It's proven that where there is an Asda in the area, prices are lower. We are a force for good at this time."
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