The developers are asking the public to provide feedback and suggestions on the proposal at public exhibitions on Thursday, 26th February and Thursday, 26th March between 3pm-8pm at the Station Hotel in Stonehaven.

Following the consultation, Ashfield Land will be resubmitting a planning application for the superstore which will include an EV charging hub. To support the planning application Ashfield Land commissioned a new independent report1 on shopping habits in and around Stonehaven. It surveyed 460 people and found a strong need for a new main food superstore in the town.

The study found:

• fewer than 3% of Stonehaven residents do their main food shop in the town centre
• tens of millions of pounds in potential local spending “leaks” away to towns like Montrose, Portlethen and Banchory every year
• online convenience spending in Stonehaven is around double the UK average, as residents struggle to find what they need locally

Steven McGarva, managing director at Ashfield Land, said: “To ensure we have reliable and up-to-date shopping data we commissioned an independent report.

“Stonehaven is the largest town in Scotland with no main food superstore and there is a longstanding identified need for a new store to serve the people of Stonehaven.

“The report clearly shows that Stonehaven town centre is a thriving town, is not reliant on main food shopping for its vitality and viability and would not be impacted by more than one large supermarket.

“We firmly believe that the New Mains of Ury site represents the best opportunity to deliver a modern superstore that meets the needs of the local community and provides new jobs, significant investment in the local economy and business rates contributions.”

If planning permission is approved, it is anticipated that the new superstore will be open late 2027.