SELKIRK could be set to welcome a new supermarket, if a planning application is approved by Scottish Borders Council.
The now-vacant unit at 115-117 High Street, the former site of Sainsbury’s, could be demolished to make way for a new shop.
The planning application, from DTM Investments Ltd., would see a new Co-op supermarket take over the premises.
The application says: “The existing store size and configuration is not commensurate with the Co-op’s requirements and so it has been determined that a new building is required in order to deliver a suitable, modern and attractive new supermarket to serve customer needs and expectations.
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“The new Co-op that is proposed will provide an efficient and attractive trading space which will provide an improved customer experience and enable a wider product range to be offered, and also provide for improved aisle width, number of tills etc and a more practical and efficient back of house/storage and staff area.”
The former Sainsbury’s building covers two floors – a shopping space on the ground floor, and stock and staff spaces on the first floor – and would replace the current Co-op supermarket in the town which can be found at 70 High Street.
Customer parking and a delivery yard would still be accessible from Chapel Street at the rear of the new building, according to papers.
The plan reads: “The existing building is considered to be of utilitarian appearance and not of a design or with materials that are typical of Selkirk Town Centre or the Conservation Area.
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“The existing building makes, at best, a neutral contribution to the Conservation Area, and so removal of the existing building is not considered to have a detrimental impact.
“Conversely, the new proposed Co-op retail store has been carefully designed to be of a style, design and materials that are much more appropriate and sympathetic to the surrounding character and that of the wider Conservation Area, particularly as the building maintains existing building lines, incorporates dormer features and uses stone, render, slate and other appropriate materials, all of colour palette to respect the surrounding built context.
“The building that is proposed incorporates a more traditional shopfront, including a fascia above the principle shopfront, has pitched roofs throughout and with degrees of pitch consistent with those that prevail in the surrounding area.”
No public or consultee comments had been made about this application at the time this newspaper went to press.
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