Concern raised about proposed smaller ASDA in Larkhall

Dec 2 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

CONCERNS have been raised about the prospect of a new supermarket in Larkhall being much smaller than what is needed in the town.

Residents hit out after the amended ASDA application was discussed at last week’s Larkhall Community Council meeting.

A community councillor said: “It looks like we are going to get two smaller stores. If that is the case, many people will still travel to Hamilton to shop in the bigger stores.”

Councillors Jackie Burns and Peter Craig attended the meeting held in Glengowan Primary School last Monday.

SNP councillor Peter Craig said he backs both ASDA and Tesco building new stores. He said: “I welcome the fact that both stores are viable and they are willing to invest money in the town. Now we going to get people’s grocery bills down and we will get the jobs that will come with these stores.”

But deputy council leader Jackie Burns has raised concerns about traffic congestion if the new ASDA store goes ahead.

The Labour councillor said: “A change of the size of the store won’t change the volume of traffic. There is still going to be problems with traffic entering and exiting Broomhill Road and this will have an impact on the main street.”

Another community councillor fumed: “The planning department have dithered between these applications for the past 18 months.”