By Chris Story

Last updated 12:35, Wednesday, 10 September 2008

New supermarkets could be built in Annan and Gretna after councillors defied their own experts’ advice and backed the applications.

Tesco has secured support from Dumfries and Galloway councillors to develop a store and petrol station in Annan.

And the Gretna Green Group – owners of Smiths Hotel and the Old Blacksmith’s Shop complex – won backing for their own proposals to build a supermarket and filling station at Glasgow Road, Gretna.

However, a third application to build another store on land near to Tesco’s proposed Annan shop was refused – even though this plan had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The three important applications were debated at a marathon meeting of the council’s Annandale and Eskdale area committee yesterday.

Those recommended for approval will now be debated by members of the authority’s planning, housing and environment committee, who will have the final say on whether they go ahead. Arguments for an against all three supermarkets were presented yesterday.

In a report to councillors, planners had recommended that Tesco’s plans for a 4,230sq m store and filling station on land next to Scott’s Street and Stapleton Road be refused because they were contrary to planning guidelines.

Proposed road changes, including a five-arm roundabout, were said to be disproportionate to the size of the development.

The report added: “It would have an adverse impact on the local area and street scene, particularly on the main entrance into the historic town of Annan.”

Officials had instead favoured a bid by regeneration firm Katalyst ( to build 4,180sq m supermarket a stone’s throw away in Scott’s Street, saying that was “the most appropriate site”.

They said it would have addressed retail leakage to other towns and complimented work to bolster the town centre’s economy. But councillors again went against their recommendation and refused the plan, which had 400-signature petition tabled opposing it.

In Gretna, planning experts had recommended refusal for the supermarket and filling station near the Old Toll Bar, arguing it would also be contrary to planning rules and have “an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre” – a point disputed by developers.

Concerns were also raised that businesses in Longtown could be hit.

The Gretna Green Group, however, said the proposal represented an opportunity to “claw back a significant amount of food spending currently lost to the area with spending on food in Carlisle representing about a quarter of the area’s food spending”.

It is not yet known when the planning, housing and environment committee will consider the Tesco and Gretna Green Group proposals.