Armadale Thistle relocation and new supermarket plans on display

Feb 11 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

Armadale plans

A PUBLIC exhibition on Scotmid’s proposals for a new supermarket and the relocation of Armadale Thistle will be on display today (Thursday).

Scotmid want to move the county junior club from their Volunteer Park home, which sits just behind the site occupied by the supermarket chain’s store on West Main Street, by building a new home for the team at the town’s Watson Park.

They want to reduce the size of their existing store by two-thirds and then build a supermarket, to be occupied by another as yet unknown chain, with 150 car parking spaces on the site of Volunteer Park.

Scotmid have come up with three options of different planning applications to submit to West Lothian Council’s planning department for the new ground at Watson Park.

Now they want to know what the people of Armadale think about their proposals.

The company’s Malcolm Brown told the Courier that they are extremely keen to get us much feedback from the public as possible on the proposals for the supermarket and the club.

He explained: “We are trying to hammer home the point that we have the supermarket anchored in the town centre.

“As far as we are concerned, that is absolutely vital for the safe guarding of the town centre and its growth.

“The country is littered with high streets going downhill when they lose major facilities like supermarkets to out of town retail parks.

“If you take this proposal away then the football club remains where it is with an uncertain future and you will end with a supermarket which moves people away from what should be the hub of the town.

“We belive these proposals we have would provide security for the football club going forward.

“The whole idea of the exhibition is to let people see that there is a real alternative here that will help safeguard Armadale town centre.

“We have got to be seen to doing a full and detailed consultation and we are listening to what people are saying.

“The development at Watson Park will be a community facility which will enhance the area. We want to hear what facilities people want in there as well.”

One of the proposals includes building a new Junior football ground for Armadale Thistle, a community football 11-a-side pitch with community changing facilities, a seven-a-side pitch, an upgraded all weather pitch and new hard standing for coach and car parking.

The plans would see the existing playground retained and a new BMX track built over heath ground..

However they could face opposition from the council itself, who have a planning application pending for land they own at Watson Park.

Scotmid’s public exhibition of the proposals will take place at Colinshiel Court on the town’s McNeil Crescent today from 2 to 8pm.

The company also expects to present their plans to the town’s community council tonight at the same venue.