Asda submit planning application for Barrhead store

Oct 4 2012 by Chris Clements, Paisley Daily Express

Proposals to build a new supermarket in Barrhead have been submitted to council planning chiefs – with overwhelming support from local residents.

Earlier this year, supermarket giants Asda announced £20million plans to build a store on land surrounded by Church Street, Main Street and Levern Water.

The planning committee at East Renfrewshire Council will decide on the application in the near future.

It was submitted after residents provided overwhelming support for the project at recent public consultation meetings.

Asda received 156 responses to its proposals, with 98 per cent of these giving their backing to the store. Ninety-four per cent supported more supermarket choice in Barrhead.

If approved, the new store is expected to create 200 jobs for the town, with a further 200 during its construction.

The planned supermarket will deliver a 25,000 sq ft store, a petrol filling station, 250 car parking spaces, cycle parking spaces, and two electric car charge points.

Proposals also include an investment of £800,000 to integrate the supermarket within the town centre.

Lisa Rooke, Asda’s Property Communications Manager for Scotland, said: “We are excited about our proposals for Barrhead and would like to thank everybody who took the time to attend the engagement events and feed their views into the planning process.

“Following months of engagement with residents and local groups in the area we believe our proposals reflect the clear needs and desires of the local community.

“Our plans will enable us to make a significant investment in the town, regenerate a currently redundant site, and generate up to 200 new jobs for local people.

“We believe that the new store can provide consumers with an improved choice on where to carry out their supermarket shopping, as well as bringing Asda’s quality products and famous low prices to the area.

“We look forward to continuing to consult and work with the local community as our proposals progress.”

If the application is approved, Asda bosses say they aim to set up an “Asda Magic” recruitment centre in Barrhead to target local job seekers, to give people in the area the best opportunity of landing a role in the store.

This is the latest development to re-ignite the town’s regeneration and follows news of a £3.8million extension to Barrhead Sports Centre to create a new leisure and learning centre, Barrhead Steps.