Progress in store as Tesco Aviemore plans finally win go-ahead

As the £15m-plus plans for the new Tesco store in Aviemore took a major step forward, pictures were released of how it will look.

With a major obstacle finally resolved, the retail giant intends to start work on the store this summer.

More than five years after the proposals were first lodged by Tesco, planning consent has just been formally issued by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

The CNPA said delays in receiving additional information from the applicant meant that only now have all parties been in a position to sign the necessary legal agreements to allow the development to go ahead.

Eleanor Mackintosh, convener of the CNPA’s planning committee, said: "We are fully aware of the need for a larger supermarket in Aviemore and are delighted to see the decision notice going out.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Tesco to ensure the development is of the highest standard.

"Although we resolved to grant planning permission some time ago, the need for further information from the applicant, planning conditions to be met and legal agreements to be signed means that to get to this stage has taken much longer than people would have liked."

Around 150 new jobs are expected to be created by the opening of the new supermarket.

One of the major sticking points has been over the lochan on the site, which is home to rare northern damselflies – known to survive at just 30 sites in the Cairngorms.

Tesco has been in discussion with the CNPA on measures to relocate the population of damselflies in the spring, before they begin to emerge from winter hibernation.

Planners are now happy with the arrangements put in place, which would see them have to pay compensation to help the species if the relocation fails.

The damselflies have not yet been moved, and it is the first time the process has been tried with this particular species.

The 4,456-square-metre store will be three times larger than the current supermarket in the village centre.

Badenoch and Strathspey MP Danny Alexander has pledged to keep the pressure on Tesco bosses, including chief executive Philip Clarke, to ensure the plans remain on track.

He said: "I would like to see Tesco take this opportunity to complete the relocation of the damselfly population and start work immediately. But this is more good economic news for the strath. Our area is helping to lead the economic recovery."

A Tesco spokesman said they wanted to "get cracking as soon as possible" and hoped to start work in the summer, subject to meeting the conditions on the relocation of the damselflies.

He said: "The new store will allow us to provide an even better shopping experience to customers in Aviemore as well as creating new jobs."

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