Published: Thursday, 20th August, 2009 1:55pm
Supermarket plan hits the buffers
by Peter Swindon
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A visualisation of the supermarket
Fife Council has blocked ambitious plans for a new supermarket in Lochgelly.
Macdonald Estates applied for permission to build on the former Weathermac site in Auchterderran Road in April.
But the company failed to submit the correct paperwork before a council-imposed deadline.
Council planner Mary Stewart explained, "The developers were advised they needed to carry out a transportation assessment. However, the application was submitted in April without the assessment and it became clear that the required work had not been done.
"In these circumstances, the council could not properly assess the impact of the proposed supermarket on the local road network."
Macdonald Estates applied for a three-month extension on 3rd August but this was refused because "the application was already outwith the two-month period allowed by the legislation for determination," Mary Stewart explained.
If given the go ahead, the supermarket would have brought up to 180 jobs to Lochgelly.
Lochgelly Community Forum described the council's decision as "heavy handed".
Chairperson Eileen McKenna said, "We think it would have been better to give the developer the extra time required.
"We have be assisting in the consultation as we believe that it is important that as many people as possible in the community get the chance to give their view on the proposed supermarket.
"This process is not complete and we should be allowed the additional time to gather resident's opinion."
The town's Labour councillor, Mark Hood, has written to the local authority's chief executive, Ronnie Hinds, on behalf of Lochgelly Community Forum.
He said, "I have been asked by the forum to review the manner in which this application has been handled by officers.
"I'm keen to make sure that decisions taken by planning officers are transparent and can be understood by the community.
"This is particularly important when decisions are taken by officers without the benefit of a committee decision taken in public."
The council was keen to stress that the door is not closed on MacDonald Estates.
"The developer can submit a new application when the transportation assessment and public consultation are completed," added Mary Stewart,
Have your say. .
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Kevin Mcgary
Unregistered User
Aug 20 09 14:40
Comment: 4224
This is crazy, who are the panners working for. Its clearly not the tax payers of Locgelly. Anyone can see that lochgelly needs a supermarket you would expect the planners to do all they can to get one built.
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James
Unregistered User
Aug 20 09 15:01
Comment: 4225
Kevin, they are working for the Council.
If Macdonald Estates were so keen to start the development, maybe they should've done what they were asked by the council.
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albert
Unregistered User
Aug 20 09 18:53
Comment: 4235
Another slap in the face by by this shocking SNP@ LIB Dem administration at Fife Council towards the people of Lochgelly @ District. Of course our area deserves a supermarket and Mary Stewart should hang her head in shame. For example, only recently we have seen the opening of a new Asda's
in Glenrothes in the same street as Morrison's,
so who gave the planning permission for that stupid set-up. It's my opinion that this decision is strictly political and who is she to deny 180 much needed jobs for the area.Come on the people of Lochgelly get hold of Ian Chisolm SNP Councillor and ask what right has his party in denying Lochgelly a new retail development in the town. WE desperately need new jobs and enterprisernin our community ,so come on.
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Jimmy G
Unregistered User
Aug 20 09 22:45
Comment: 4246
James wise up. this is about planners slapping down a developer. How many times do planners bendover backwards for developments in this town. Somebody at Fife wants the supermarket somewhere else this is about knocking back developers.
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Mags
Unregistered User
Aug 20 09 22:49
Comment: 4247
Lochgelly needs and supermarket and a petrol station. This is a shame, why are bthe people in lochgelly always getting the door slammed in our face.
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Vinny
Unregistered User
Aug 21 09 05:38
Comment: 4251
definately agree with mags. bringing in a petrol station would be a great idea. maybe the supermarket could have a petrol station attached? that way the people in the area would get the best deal on their fuel, and no subject to more over-inflated prices
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jillian
Unregistered User
Aug 22 09 21:04
Comment: 4289
this is shocken the goverment and council are complaining about the level of unemployment and this development could of got at least 100 people off the dole queue. Its ok for the council development people they have jobs
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Karen
Unregistered User
Sep 1 09 19:09
Comment: 4561
Um from across the pond I would say tell your council members to get their collective heads out of their collective bum's.
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doreen
Unregistered User
Sep 2 09 19:26
Comment: 4655
i realy think this is very sad that lochgelly cannot get a supermarket this is something we need in the town comeon council waken up please and get this sorted out
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Angry Resident
Unregistered User
Sep 3 09 11:36
Comment: 4705
This is a prime example of a fascist bureacracy! Ok, so McDonald Estates did not fully comply with the planning application requirements. They did however apply for an extension which I believe would be to put right their earlier omission and comply with the planning protocols, then to be rejected! What the hell is Fife Council playing at? Can't they see that Lochgelly needs this development? Surely the rules could have been 'bent' somewhat, or perhaps McDonald Estates did not grease the palms of the corrupt councillors on the planning committee! This is a travesty, ALL councillors should be ashamed. The people of Lochgelly and surrounding areas need this development, it is crucial to the ongoing regeneration of the town. All I can say is that when it comes to Local elections, the electorate should remember this decision, particularly the fact that the current administration is SNP and Liberal run! Shame on you Fife Council! I hope that the efforts of Lochgelly Community Forum are successful, all residents should participate and rise against this wrong decision!
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Mitchel Aitkinson
Unregistered User
Sep 24 09 14:26
Comment: 5285
to be honest with you i am not shocked that fife council re-buffed the supermarket bid. for most people in lochgelly the weekly trip to dunfermline or kirkcaldy for their shopping is the highlight of their life and who are fife council to deny them that?
its not as if lochgelly is actually a nice place to be any way. i wouldnt be surprised if the bid got accepted but their were no supermarkets willing to build in the area as its full of de-generates and reprobates mainly. the security costs of such an operation would be immense
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Alex Cruickshank
Unregistered User
Oct 10 09 12:45
Comment: 5654
Before the people of Lochgelly get even angrier with the decision of Fife Council, they should take a long hard look at the facts. Lochgelly did have a petrol station, this closed because the people of Lochgelly did not use it. Additionally, do you really believe the 180 jobs created will be made up of Lochgelly residents. Do'nt kid yourself. Furthermore what happens to the Co-op and David Sands supermarkets? They actually employ local people!! They will suffer a reduction in revenue and will make locally employed poeple redundant. Lochgelly people should start using local services and shops. I work in a shop in Lochgelly and I am sick of Lochgelly people shopping elsewhere and then moaning about closed shops and the state 0f the town
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irene penman
Unregistered User
Mar 13 10 10:14
Comment: 9505
We desperately need a supermarket in Lochgelly. Sands and the co-op need competition and the lochgelly people need a choice
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