Anger as Kinloch plans go against local wishes

Councillor claims siting of units ‘flies in the face’ of town charrette

Sainsbury’s is looking to bring more choice and jobs to Carnoustie, the supermarket said yesterday.

The retail giant wants to join Greggs in a controversial development of the former Kinloch Primary School site in the town.

If planning permission is granted the project would bring at least 30 jobs.

However, more than 60 people have now voiced their objections to the plans.

Carnoustie councillor Brian Boyd yesterday said the siting of the retail units “flies in the face” of the recent town charrette.

He is demanding a meeting with senior council officials after it emerged the applicant was advised to change the location of the units at a pre-application meeting with Angus Council.

He said: “The council are coming across again as not listening to people and I want to find out urgently why we are in this position.”

Sainsbury’s has confirmed it is the major food retailer looking to come to Carnoustie.

The supermarket would join Greggs at the site of the former Kinloch Primary School if planning permission is granted for the development on the brownfield site.

The food giant said the 6,000 sq ft store would create around 20 jobs “which would predominantly go to local people”. Carnoustie only has one supermarket, a Co-op.

The planning application, submitted by Linlithgow-based developer Cumbrae Property Ltd, has provision for two retail units and 46 parking spaces on the site at the corner of Dundee Street and Links Avenue.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson yesterday urged Angus Council to approve the planning application so it could bring more choice for shoppers and jobs to the town.

She said: “We are very much looking forward to opening a store in Carnoustie, bringing jobs for local people and extra choice and convenience for people looking to do their shopping.

“We work closely with the local community and the store would support a local charity as well as participate in the Active Kids scheme.

“We are hopeful Angus Council will approve the application and if so, look forward to welcoming people to our new store.”

The spokeswoman said there was no timetable for the store to open as this would be dependent on the planning process.

She added: “I understand that some people are concerned about the impact on the High Street. However, in our experience, the extra footfall our store would bring to the area would benefit other local traders as well.”

Greggs said it hopes to have its 1,500 sq ft store open in time for the Open golf championship at Carnoustie next summer.

The site has not been specifically identified for retail development in the adopted local plan but Greggs said it was hopeful the local authority would be receptive to the idea.

A spokesman for the company said the bakery had previously looked at other units in Carnoustie but had been unable to secure a property that meets modern retailer requirements.

He added: “The only option for Greggs is, therefore, a new-build unit.

“The closest available site to the existing town centre and the only available opportunity for Greggs at this time and likely for the foreseeable future, is the former Kinloch Primary School site.”

It is estimated around 10 jobs would be created if permission is granted.

An Angus Council spokesperson said: “Applicants can choose to ask for planning advice prior to submitting their planning application. It is for the applicant to put the application together taking account of feedback.”

Weare very much looking forward to opening a store in Carnoustie, bringing jobs for local people

Picture: Paul Reid. Where the planned Sainsbury’s/greggs development would be, on the former Kinloch Primary School at the corner of Links Avenue and Dundee Street.