Sainsbury's Survey Days: Preliminary Response Figures
31/01/10 updated 4/02/10
Sainsbury’s has revealed that almost 500 local people attended the two open sessions held in Pitlochry town hall on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 January to view the proposed plans to develop a 15,000sq ft (sales) food store at the town’s Bridge Road site. To date 318 have completed the survey made available at the exhibition.
79.6% of respondents supported the proposals in Pitlochry. Of the remaining, 10.4% were undecided and 9.4% of respondents did not support the proposals. There was also a noticeable level of support of 75.8% regarding the need for a new supermarket in Pitlochry to enhance the level of choice available to the local community.
It was also noted that the location of the proposed store on Bridge Road achieved the support of 79.2% of respondents. Amongst the reasons for this was that the development site is not in the town centre itself, thus limiting congestion and not detracting from the town’s character. Other reasons included the availability of ample parking space and it being a convenient/accessible location.
Dougal Hartley, National Development Surveyor for Sainsbury’s in Scotland, said: “We are delighted by the extremely positive response we have received from our recent public event and ongoing community consultation.
“Since beginning consultations at the end of last year, Sainsbury’s has taken on board the views and comments of local residents and community or business groups, and in response to these has made improvements to the proposed development and will do so again on the basis of recent feedback before submission of the planning application.
“Importantly we have committed to working in partnership with the Highland Games Committee and we look forward to continuing to work with them as our application progresses.”
The company hopes to submit an application to P&K Council at the end of February and will continue consultation with the local commmunity as the application is considered. If consent is given the new store could be open in 2011.
The full results of the survey were presented at community council meetings at Killiecrankie on 1 February an d Aberfeldy on 3 February and they will feature at the Pitlochry & Moulin meeting on 10 February.
A spokesman said: “This will ensure that the on-going consultation undertaken by Sainsbury’s is as open, transparent and inclusive as possible.’’
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