Proposals to develop a supermarket and petrol filling station at Newton Farm, adjacent to McDiarmid Stadium, Perth, have been announced by property company, Manse LLP.

The development will also facilitate the delivery of over 50% of Perth and Kinross Council’s proposed new A85/A9 link road (a site location map is available on request)

The supermarket, located within the established Crieff Road Commercial Centre and within the city boundary, will provide a retail area of approximately 55,000 sq ft. It is expected to create up to 400 full and part time jobs, deliver long awaited infrastructure for the area and address identified demand for a new supermarket to complement existing provision in the locality.

The site has also been identified for retail and residential development in the Proposed Local Development Plan, which builds on the site’s inclusion as a preferred retail location in the Council commissioned Perth Western Area Expansion Study.

The announcement by Manse LLP signals the lodging of a Proposal of Application Notice with Perth and Kinross Council, formally starting a minimum of 12 weeks community engagement prior to the lodging of an application for planning permission in principle.

Being located on the eastern side of the A9, the area around Newton Farm is already a well established retail destination and this is recognized in the designation of the area as an established commercial centre – the Crieff Road Commercial Centre - in the Proposed Plan. Its proximity to the existing location of Perth is expected to encourage better opportunities to travel by bus and on foot, meaning less reliance on car travel, thus enhancing sustainability.

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The supermarket will serve to meet demand for a new supermarket within the City, offering choice and improved quality for local residents. The development will also be accommodated without leading to significant shopping trip diversions from town centre locations as it will compete with other supermarkets, thereby limiting impact on the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre.

A comprehensive retail assessment will be undertaken to look at the retail impact of the proposed development and will be submitted with the planning application.

The Newton Farm proposals will also facilitate, both physically and financially, over 50% of the Council’s proposed new A85/A9 link road north from the new roundabout, providing a new access to the crematorium and to the proposed development. This includes the construction of a junction on Crieff Road.

As part of the developer’s proposals there also will be a number of additional road improvements undertaken in conjunction with Perth and Kinross Council and Transport Scotland, including signalisation of the A85/A9 roundabout and widening approaches to the Newhouse Road roundabout in order to create additional capacity. Manse LLP anticipate their proposals will assist the better management of traffic demand in the area, reduce congestion at a number of key junctions and assist in delivering wider aspirations for Perth.

Manse is looking to hold a community engagement event in March to outline its proposals.

David Mitchell, Managing Partner at Manse LLP said: "We are delighted to be announcing these supermarket and new road infrastructure proposals, delivering investment and jobs, as well addressing recognised retail demand. The great advantage of this site is its deliverability and being within an established commercial centre and adjacent to the existing population of Perth allows for greater sustainable travel opportunities meaning less reliance on car travel. We look forward to engaging with the local community over the next few weeks and hearing their views on this."

It is estimated that the application will be lodged in May 2012 and should it be granted permission it is expected that development will start on site in Autumn 2012.

(GK)