The people of Dunoon and wider Cowal got their chance this week to vote on Dunoon’s proposed new supermarket – and gave it the thumbs down by a two-thirds majority.

Extra chairs had to be laid out to accommodate the number of people who turned up to Wednesday evening’s public meeting in the Queen’s Hall, arranged by Dunoon Community Council as a debate on the supermarket plans.
With an audience of around 220 people in place, chairman Cameron (Ronnie) Smith introduced the panel. Making the case for the new supermarket and associated housing development at the existing Walkers Mica site on Sandbank Road were James Harbison, of project management firm James Harbison & Co, with Bruce Weir from developers CWP.

For

Speaking first, the developers based their case around four main areas –  choice for consumers; jobs in the construction phase and later when the store is operating; the potential for additional housing development at Dunloskin farm; and the fact that the Walkers business would be able to expand and develop elsewhere.
Mr Harbison said that the new £20 million development – twice the size of the Morrisons store in town – would bring greater choice and lower prices, including supermarket fuel prices, to Dunoon. He added that a new, larger supermarket would retain expenditure in Dunoon, claiming that 35 per cent of people who responded to a recent survey indicated that they did not currently do a weekly shop in the town. Around 200 jobs would be created in the store, he said, with an extra 60 during  construction.
The proponents of the scheme argued that development of housing at Dunloskin as part of the proposals would open the area up to potential further building, as  road access and services  to the area would be opened up as part of the project.

Against

Speaking against the proposals were two prominent Argyll Street shop proprietors – Charles Black and Alan Livingston.
Mr Black said: “I have no objection to supermarkets in Dunoon. I firmly believe that the existing shops and supermarkets offer choice to locals and visitors alike. I don’t believe that the proposed site on the extreme edge of Dunoon would be an asset to the town.”
Claiming that the new supermarket would weaken an already-fragile economy in Dunoon town centre, he added: “It has been shown elsewhere that when these projects are allowed to go ahead, food shops are the first to suffer, then non-food shops begin to close.”
Mr Livingston said that the developers had presented a lot of facts and figures to support their case, but added that they were “not being fully frank in the way they deal with these figures”. He claimed that the development would lead to a reduction in vitality and viability of town centre shops, adding: “We need jobs, but the result of a large supermarket operation on the edge of town would be a net reduction in jobs.”

Floor
Impassioned pleas on both sides of the debate followed as questions were invited from the floor. In an occasionally-sparky exchange, a range of views were expressed.
One town centre food trader commented: “No matter what the developers and facts and figures say, most shops will take a severe hit and many will shut. We noticed it when Somerfields closed, when we experienced  a marked upturn in trade. When Morrisons opened, trade decreased.”
One local woman said: “The consumer  has not been listened to. We need choice, and many local shops don’t supply prices I can afford as a pensioner.”
Speaking passionately, a Strone woman said: “Visitors don’t come to see a supermarket. Supermarkets are all out to line their own pockets and don’t give a damn about people who live here.”
Listening to the many points from the audience, a clearly frustrated woman exclaimed: “Piffle. You really couldn’t get anything you want in Argyll Street, and the shops close too early in the evening.”
“Supermarket clothing ranges are great, supermarkets suit me”, commented a mother with teenage children, adding: “I can’t afford Argyll Street prices and the range is poor.”
Another audience member remarked: “To say there is no choice here is wrong. If you approach local traders with prices available elsewhere, they will come and go a bit. You have to support your town.”

Conned

Councillor Bruce Marshall   then said: “By speaking here I am throwing myself out of the planning process, but I would have to say that I’m very against the CWP plans.
“I think we’re being conned with promises of cheap petrol to get people’s votes. If these plans go ahead, the quality of shops will disappear.”
In response to Cllr Marshall’s remarks, Bruce Weir said: “I understand both sides of the argument. It’s important to have a healthy town centre, which is why we chose a medium sized  supermarket development.
“We’re not trying to con anyone. We have a very open offer here.”
After concerns were raised over the extent of construction work which would be available to local firms, Mr Weir added: “Any local firm will be given the opportunity to tender, but even if this is not successful, there will also be opportunities as sub-contractors.”
Summing up, the developers reiterated their initial points, but Mr Weir added: “Choice is important. It’s part of the world we live in. We also need to embrace the fact that this development will provide employment and opportunities for families in this area.”
Mr Black summed up by saying: “It’s right that we should have choice – but this should come from town centre businesses.”
He added: ‘I, for one, am perfectly prepared to do anything to help you, the customer.” Mr Livingston continued on the same theme, adding: “We don’t get it right all the time, and we need to work harder. Voice your views to local retailers - we’ll try to improve our service.”
As for the question on many peoples’ lips – which supermarket chain might occupy the site – Mr Weir was non-committal. “I can’t say at the moment, but it is likely to be one of Asda, Sainsbury or Tesco,” he said.
The audience seemed to agree that local is best – perhaps with some enhancements here and there – as the vote was cast. The result was 77 votes for the new development; 138 against.
Dunoon Community Council will now take the community view forward as part of a formal objection to the supermarket plans, but it is encouraging anyone with a view on the subject to write to Argyll and Bute Council planning department.

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