Stonehaven residents yesterday had their say on a proposed supermarket on the outskirts of the town.
The Sluie Estate trust has proposed building the 4,000 square-metre supermarket, petrol station and car park at the New Mains of Ury farm site, situated off of the B979 Stonehaven to Maryculter road.
Speaking last night trust member, David Strang Steel, said it would create more than 200 jobs and prevent locals from travelling to Portlethen, Banchory, Aberdeen and Montrose for their shopping.
Many locals in Stonehaven have been calling for a large-scale supermarket in the area for years, however others are concerned about the potential impact this could have on the town centre’s economy.
And last night one Stonehaven man said “no regard” had been paid to the impact of the proposals on his home and those of his neighbours who live next door to the site.
The plans include knocking down New Mains of Ury House and a series of farm buildings to make way for the supermarket.
The plans – which will neighbour the Aberdeen Western peripheral Route (AWPR) near Stonehaven – have received 11 objections.
Local resident George Forrester said: “We all know with the AWPR there is going to be more traffic in this area. There was mention of very few objections. Of course there was, there is only five houses.
“This all came out in June last year and by July there was very few people if any in the Kirkwood Homes (development). A lot of them never knew anything about them (the plans).
“It is obvious to us anyway that no regard is being given to us on this.”
He added the supermarket would block the “natural light” entering his home.
Mr Strang Steel said the supermarket would service a large area of south Aberdeenshire including Inverbervie and Laurencekirk.
He added: “As you will all be aware this part of Stonehaven is undergoing considerable change due in part to the AWPR. the Kincardine and Mearns planning committee met on April 6 2015.
“Councillors at that meeting a supermarket was the biggest issue for Stonehaven.”