New plans submitted for Stonehaven Tesco

The £15 million investment would provide a new Tesco supermarket, create around 100 jobs, and serve as a prominent gateway site into Stonehaven. 

The fresh application follows extensive local consultation and will pave the way for Stonehaven’s first major supermarket, plus an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub.

The project is supported by a new Independent Household Shopping survey commissioned by Ashfield Land on shopping habits in and around Stonehaven, which found a strong need for a new main food superstore in the town, as tens of millions of pounds in potential local spending “leaks” away to towns like Montrose, Portlethen and Banchory every year.

Stonehaven Community Council commissioned its own survey, which found that 81.3% of local residents do their main food shopping outside the town. This survey of over 1,000 residents demonstrated that residents would welcome greater local amenity and choice.

At the first project consultation event on 26 February, 85% of respondents said they wanted a new Tesco at Stonehaven Gateway. By the second consultation event on 26 March, 94% of respondents said they wanted a new Tesco at Stonehaven Gateway.

Stonehaven Community Council also welcomed the resubmission of the application and the findings of their independent retail report.

If consented, Tesco would intend to open the new store in 2027.

Steven McGarva, managing director at Ashfield Land, said: “The team is enormously grateful to the local community, who have again taken the time to engage with us. Feedback from our consultation events reflects that residents want greater local retail choice, and we believe there is clear evidence that Stonehaven can accommodate this. We look forward to working with Aberdeenshire Council to progress this application.”

Brian Menzies, chairman of Stonehaven Community Council, said: “Our own survey indicates that residents want choice in Stonehaven, and that the community believes the proposed development by Tesco will increase the number of visitors to Stonehaven town centre as a result.

“Community engagement has reflected that there is a large demand for additional retail provision and investment in Stonehaven. That is clear from the number of people who have responded and attended consultation events.

“Stonehaven and District Community Council supports this application, which represents what the majority of our community has indicated is needed. We look forward to seeing the application considered in full by Aberdeenshire Council.”