OTHER USES FOR GAIRIE WORKS SITE?
KIRRIEMUIR Community Councillors remain convinced that there are other potential uses for the Gairie Works site if it doesn't get the green light for a supermarket development.
Meeting in Kirriemuir last Wednesday evening, members were coming to terms with the marathon meeting two days earlier, during which proposals for supermarkets on three different sites were turned down by Angus Council.
The proposal by CWP Property Limited to demolish the Gairie Works and create a food store and car park only just failed to find favour with councillors, being rejected on the casting vote of the Provost.
But, in the eyes of the majority of community councillors, that was the right decision.
Chairman Roland Proctor, who spoke against the proposal at the six-hour meeting, once again reiterated his view that there were major traffic safety concerns associated with the project.
"If the site was in a flat area, with no safety issues attached to it, I would have no problem with a supermarket, but, as things stand, I think it is a disaster waiting to happen, and I said that at the Monday meeting.
"Bellie's Brae, in my view, will become a death-trap, with big lorries going in and out of the site and coming into conflict with pedestrians."
Community councillors spent some time contemplating their next move - in the event that the developer will appeal the decision to the Scottish Government.
"What we will have then is someone - who does not know the site or the area as we do - coming in and making a decision," added Mr Proctor.
The chairman went on to express the view that there were other potential uses for the Gairie Works site.
"I feel there are people who would be interested in coming in and developing the site in a more sympathetic manner than as a supermarket.
"The local doctors' and dentists' surgeries are looking for new sites and, in my opinion, such uses could fit in well with other community-based facilities.
"That's what people should be looking at, instead of taking the easy option."
Referring to the comments made at the Monday meeting by J. & D. Wilkie director Michael Rowan - that the reason for off-loading the Gairie Works building was the sheer cost and impracticality of maintaining the huge 19th century site - Mr Proctor said he understood the "rope round the company's neck."
"I can understand why Wilkie's want to off-load the building," added the chairman. "But the supermarket proposal should not be the first and only option."
Charlie Knight went on to question what lay in store for the building if a new use couldn't be found for it.
"I appreciate the upkeep costs of the building could be quite substantial, but what influence can be brought to bear to make sure that it is kept wind and watertight and doesn't deteriorate.
"The last thing we want is a dirty big monstrosity that no one is going to want to maintain."
Community councillors agreed to hold fire on their next move - as they await confirmation on whether or not the developers are to appeal the planning decision to the Scottish Government.
It is feasible that one, two, or all three of the planning decisions made at last Monday evening's marathon six-hour meeting could yet be dealt with at Scottish Government Reporter level - and that will mean a new supermarket for Kirriemuir would be many, many months down the line!
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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