6 March 2012 – Update

Since our plans were given the green light just before Christmas we have been working hard to progress with council planners, finalising all the paperwork which goes with such planning consents including the legal agreement which we will enter into for financial contributions to the Dunoon CHORD project and other matters. This process has been progressing well and we are now very close to having all these matters agreed. We will provide a further update before Easter.

“Just to let you have a further planning update – the National Grid [former gasworks] application goes back to the planning committee next Wednesday in Kilmory with our CWP application next on the agenda.  We will update news of events as they unfold”

UPDATE ON OUR PLANS TO BRING A FULL SIZE SUPERMARKET AND PETROL FILLING STATION TO DUNOON

You will probably know already that our planning application has not yet been determined at committee since there has been a rival application by National Grid, the owners of the former gasworks site.

The Council has decided to consider the National Grid application before they make a determination on our application.

Not only is the National Grid site not big enough to accommodate a full size supermarket it cannot provide a petrol filling station.  As you know, we have contended all along that Dunoon does not need a third small format supermarket with fewer car parking spaces since many local people choose not to shop at Morrisons or The Co-operative and instead shop across the water for their main weekly food shop.

So we are asking all our supporters to object formally to the National Grid application by writing or emailing the following: brian.close@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Argyll & Bute Council, Planning Services, Milton House, Milton Avenue, DUNOON PA23 7DU   FAO Brian Close      Ref: 11/00689/PPP

Your objection does not need to be detailed and can simply be that you prefer our application and that the National Grid site cannot provide the supermarket that you want.

Meanwhile, CWP will also be objecting to the National Grid site on a number of technical matters including ground contamination and flood risk.

We understand the National Grid application will be dealt with by way of a Hearing, similar to the one which considered our application in April, although no date has been set by the Council as yet.  We would also expect this Hearing to take place in Dunoon.

Objectors will be eligible to speak at this Hearing if they so wish.  So, if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to speak, you must object in writing as soon as possible.

It is quite likely that this committee will decide on the National Grid application before then turning to our application for a decision.  So both applications will be dealt with on the same day.

We really appreciate your help in this matter and can assure you CWP remains 100% committed to bringing a full size supermarket and petrol filling station to Dunoon and Cowal shoppers as well as much needed jobs and enabling Walkers to relocate nearby to a purpose built DIY garden centre and café.

Our plans are to redevelop the current site of Walkers Home and Garden Centre on Argyll Street with land to the rear for a 43,000 sq.ft. supermarket, 300 car parking spaces and a petrol filling station. The size of the proposed new store is more than double the size of the existing Morrisons or Co-op and will be large enough to include a full offer of food to help save Dunoon shoppers making unnecessary trips to do their food shopping.

The plans are also to relocate the family run Walkers Home and Garden Centre business in Dunoon thereby safeguarding the 20 local jobs and keeping this popular hardware and garden centre business in the town of Dunoon.

Should the plans be approved, CWP is confident that a major supermarket brand will be attracted to the town of Dunoon.