Sainsbury’s will not appeal planning decision

Jul 15 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

SUPERMARKET giants Sainsbury’s have announced they will not appeal West Lothian Council’s decision to refuse them permission for a store in Armadale.

In May the council knocked back a planning application for a 40,000 square foot foodstore in Armadale.

Their proposed site was the current Armadale Stadium, situated to the south of the A89 on the eastern edge of the town.

Along with the supermarket their proposal contained plans for 400 car park spaces along with a petrol forecourt with car-wash facility.

However, a meeting of the full council voted 13 to seven in favour of granting the local authority’s own bid to build a store on Watson Park and SDA Limited’s plans for a supermarket on land at Armadale Station.

Now, after considering their position, Sainsbury’s have decided to ditch any plans to appeal the decision.

A spokesman for the company said: “Sainsbury’s was deeply disappointed by the decision to refuse the application despite our best efforts and submitting what we believed to be a compelling proposal, which was widely supported by the local community.

“We have therefore taken time to carefully consider what our options might be going forward in Armadale.

“Whilst we are concerned that no supermarket will be delivered in the town in the near future, we have taken the view that it is in the wider public interest not to appeal the council’s decision or challenge the council’s planning approval.

“We have taken this decision in the interests of the local community, to ensure that the need for a supermarket is not held up any further.

“Whilst Sainsbury’s is withdrawing from the Armadale Stadium site, Sainsbury’s remains very positive about Armadale as a potential location and hopes that the town receives a supermarket within a realistic timeframe.”

As part of their plans, the supermarket giants agreed a six-figure package to assist in locating, securing land and building a new national standard stadium for speedway team the Scotwaste Monarchs, who currently use Armadale Stadium.

However, Sainsbury’s announced this relocation package to help the Monarchs move to a new site at South Couston Farm in Bathgate was now off the table because of the council’s decision.

The spokesman added: “Sainsbury’s is also disappointed that we are no longer in a position to implement the relocation package we offered to the Scotwaste Monarchs.

“We always made it our priority to engage with the Monarchs’ representatives and the relocation package which we agreed in partnership demonstrated our commitment to relocating the club from the existing Armadale Stadium to another site in West Lothian.

“We want to publicly thank the Monarchs for their support over the last 18 months and wish them every success in continuing to pursue their relocation.”