It’s vital to protect our historic market town

Feb 5 2009 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

IT seems likely that the planning application by Sainsbury’s for an edge-of-town superstore may shortly be approved by South Lanarkshire Council after consideration of the Reporter's verdict on the Local Plan.

This is one of the most important planning decisions for the town for many years and the community council wish to explain their view.

The community council do not in principle object to a superstore. However, we do have to consider the consequences for the town.

The community council have been in contact with both Sainsbury’s and South Lanarkshire Council to endeavour to minimise the impact of such a development on the town centre and to gain some improvements for Strathaven generally. However the current application involves a main entrance off Kirk Street, which is not only distant from the town centre but is also at a location likely to cause further congestion on the A71.

In our view this will split the town in two and have a serious adverse effect on the shops in and around the Common Green, which is currently the heart and soul of this historic market town.

The community council have also requested restrictions on trading hours and other environmental improvements as a condition of any planning approval.

If the application is approved it is important to secure every possible safeguard for the town centre and the town as a whole, including environmental and road improvements.We have made these suggestions to the council but their views remain unclear.

One good thing to report is the attitude of Sainsbury’s. While they appear to be unwilling to pull the main entrance nearer the town centre, they have had a series of discussions with the community council and it seems they are determined to be good partners to the town.

Wendy Gilmour, secretary, Strathaven Community Council.