People have until 9th September 2011 to register their views on the planning application by Waitrose for a new store in Helensburgh.
The application can be seen here on Argyll & Bute Council’s online planning site.
- Comments can be registered online using the same link above – simply click on the Make a Public Comment tab.
- Written comments can be made to the Council, quoting the application reference 11/01422/PP. Letters should be sent to Planning and Regulatory Services, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT.
Martin Gorman of Waitrose is urging everyone who supports the proposal to formally register their views. He says: ‘In deciding whether to recommend our application for approval, council officers will consider planning and zoning issues but importantly also the number of public comments they receive.
‘It’s vital that people who support the plans, now make their voice heard by commenting online or writing to the Council.’
We understand that if Waitrose is successful in securing planning permission, the store will be built during 2012 and open for business in early 2013.
There is no doubt that the rare presence of a quality foodstore like Waitrose , which barely appears in Scotland, will draw business to Helensburgh.
Existing retailers in the town centre – along with non-food outlets. cafes and restaurants – can benefit by diversity and audience from the arrival of such a major draw as Waitrose if they:
- focus on the best and most appropriate services for town centre operation;
- comment before 9th September and contact both Waitrose and the Council planners to negotiate for good promotional advertising of town centre retail, leisure and visitor facilities to be positioned at the Waitrose site – with a first rate, visually effective town map.
I will be very disappointed if the Waitrose Planning Application is refused. Helensburgh needs a larger supermarket and Waitrose sells mainly food and will not result in the closure of the many small independant shops unlike Asda which sells everything that our small shops provide.
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For Marian Waugh: It had genuinely not occurred to us that anything so fundamentally stupid as the refusal of planning consent for Waitrose in Helensburgh might happen.
We could not agree with you more that this is central to the reinvigoration of Helensburgh.
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It is hoped that the planning department do not use the excuse that the site Waitrose wishes to build on, is not designated for retail. That would be an insult to the inteligence of the people of Helensburgh.
The pier site that Asda would like to add to thier kingdom, will be congested enough once all the hoped for development for the site is completed. One of he most important sites we have in the town should be prtected at all cost.
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I fully support the Waitrose application for planning permission to erect a store and petrol station on the proposed site in Colgrain. This is easily accessible from all areas and would provide decent shopping facilities for people in the east end of town.
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Waitrose is important to Helensburgh, I agree with everything they offer, all are needed urgently as soon as possible.
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