Supermarket plans something new for Centrum site

Jun 26 2009 by Lisa Boyle

SAINSBURY’S supermarket have been granted full planning permission to build on the former Centrum site.

Councillors unanimously gave the application the thumbs up at a meeting this week.

Developers Dawn construction will now move into action to make the blueprints a reality.

It has been through a storm of controversy since the plan came to light two years ago.

Many local residents campaigned to keep the land for leisure use.

But the supermarket giants have vowed to build two other sporting facilities elsewhere in the town.

The store will built to the rear of the site, where the blaes pitches are currently located, and extend into the area occupied by the Centrum car park in Prestwick.

A petrol station will be erected adjacent to Ayr Road and access will be gained via a new signalled junction.

Paul O’Donnell from Dawn construction told councillors that the development would mean an investment of more than £25 million and 550 local jobs both in construction and retail.

He added: “This will attract people to, and reduce leakage from the town.

“The Centrum was stripped out before Sainsbury’s involvement and has played no meaningful role in the community since.

“This development will deliver jobs in two of the hardest hit parts of the economy, retail and construction.”

Councillor Ian Douglas added: “This isn’t the choice between a sporting facility and a supermarket. It’s a choice between a derelict site and a supermarket. And we will have other sporting facilities as compensation.”

However, objectors argued that the site is inappropriate.

One man pointed out that the delivery doors of the supermarket would be positioned 20 metres from his daughter’s bedroom window.

He fears that the night time delivery would wake up his child.

Brian Donohoe MP has been involved for much of it.

He has held meetings with local residents about the future of the site after being inundated with complaints from constituents.

He has grave concerns for other local businesses.

After the meeting he said: “There could have been a different decision.

“The councillors thought there were enough conditions and they will have to live with the consequences of that.

“Some local businesses are already teetering on the edge and I fear this could be the final straw for them.”