Co-Op Supermarket at 1 Commercial Street, Blairgowrie – Planning Advice

Chase and Partners prepared and submitted a retail policy response in support of planning application submitted by Redburn Group Ltd. on behalf of Howden Joinery Ltd on site of former Co-Op Supermarket at 1 Commercial Street, Blairgowrie. The application site comprises the former Co-Op store comprising 890 sq metres (9,580 sq ft) GIA and adjacent parking. Howden is an expanding kitchen depot and trade counter operator with approximately 700 units nationally over 80 depots in Scotland. Howden are now seeking consent for a change of use from Class 1 to warehousing/storage within Class 6. Additionally, permission is also sought for the provision of an ancillary and ‘de-minimus’ trade counter area. The Local Authority refused this proposal due to not being in keeping with the Development Plan due to wanting to retain Class 1 retail uses as well as other appropriate town centre uses such as Class 2 and 3 in order to preserve the vitality and viability of the town centre.