Information Bulletin
29 April 2004
Council Seeks New Way Forward on Safeway
Councillors have agreed to reconsider their stance on the proposal by Safeway to use some floorspace at their Lerwick supermarket for the sale of non-food goods.
During 2003, following concerns about he amount of non-food items being stocked at the store, Safeway submitted a planning application that would, if approved, have brought the store into line with the Council's policy of not allowing more than 10% of floorspace to be used for such purposes. However, when Councillors considered the application in November, they felt that the need to safeguard Lerwick's town centre should take precedence over that policy, and turned Safeway's proposal down.
Safeway lodged an appeal with the Scottish Executive towards the end of March and, meeting in private on Thursday afternoon (22 April), Councillors considered how they should respond. They decided, without a division, to advise Safeway that they no longer wished to opposed the company's proposals.
Planning Sub-Committee Chairman Frank Robertson said after the meeting:
"Back in November, a clear majority of Members felt that we should resist what Safeway was trying to do. But we now recognised that their approach reflects what is happening elsewhere in the country. If they are willing to operate within our policy, as appears to be the case, the Council is prepared to reconsider its position. The Council is an committed as ever to safeguarding, as best it can, the viability and vitality not just of other shopping locations in Lerwick but of the remaining network of country shops. I'm convinced that the best way to do that is to work within the policies in our Local Plan."
Mr Robertson added that the discussion had had to be held in private because it involved an assessment of the Council's tactics in defending the appeal and the discussion of the costs likely to be charged by particular specialist advisers.
Provided that the full Council endorses the decision, Council officers will approach Safeway in order to discuss the way forward.
ENDS
Further information: Councillor Frank Robertson, telephone 01595 744501.