Leith Asda store is in the bag

Published on Friday 22 February 2008 09:23

A NEW supermarket is set to be created near the Ocean Terminal shopping centre after winning the backing of planning officials.

Supermarket giant Asda is expected to be granted approval next week for the scheme, which would see a "European-style" store at Ocean Drive in Leith.

The company has pledged to create the new store out of "renewable resources", including a recycled aluminium roof, and has said it will use heat from its on-site bakery to warm storage areas.

It has also pledged to reduce its carbon-dioxide emissions by introducing automatic light dimmers and using timber approved by the forest stewardship council.

The plans are the latest to be submitted by the company and follow an unsuccessful attempt by Asda to create a store on the site in 2006. However, officials have now recommended the scheme is granted, as the site has already been designated as suitable for a supermarket under a masterplan for the area.

In a report to councillors, the city's head of planning and strategy, Alan Henderson, said: "The principle of a local centre with an integrated food store and car parking has already been agreed in this location, and this development will be a positive contribution to the emerging character and design quality of the area." Asda has pledged to create about 350 jobs at the store.

It has long been envisaged as a key element of the Western Harbour, where 3000 new homes are being created, along with a park bigger than Princes Street Gardens, and smaller shops.

In a design brief by consultants GVA Grimley, who are acting as agents for Asda's proposals, the firm said the new supermarket would provide a service for shoppers across Leith, as well as new residents moving into the neighbouring Western Harbour area.

The report said many people left Leith for grocery shopping. It added: "This application will help to improve this situation by increasing the range and quality of food shopping on offer within the area, and consequently reducing the length of shopping trips and car journeys."

Lisa Rooke, Asda's property communications manager for Scotland, said: "The plans have been specifically developed to offer a truly distinctive design that is appropriate for the area."

Although Asda's supermarket was given outline planning permission as part of the wider Western Harbour scheme in 2002, the council had already approved plans for a much bigger waterfront supermarket in Granton by the time the Leith venture was discussed by the planning committee in October 2006.

At the time, councillors agreed to shelve the proposals, and the then planning convener, Trevor Davies, accused Asda of "thumbing its nose" at the council over the way it had handled its application.

The latest plans, which include 341 car parking bays, 20 spaces for bikes and two smaller retail units, have been drawn up following discussions between the supermarket chain and the council.

Councillors are expected to give Asda's plans the go-ahead when they meet next week.