12th March 2015
Aberdeenshire Council have sealed a deal with Tesco which will support the development of new leisure, sports and community facilities in Banff and Macduff.
Councillors have endorsed the multi-million pound deal and agreed additional funding to secure the facilities which were agreed following extensive community consultation during 2013.
In January, the council was informed by Tesco that it was withdrawing from its plans to build a new supermarket in Banff, which would have been located at Canal Park, resulting in replacement sports facilities being required elsewhere in the town.
Negotiations have been taking place between the council and Tesco since then, and today (Thu, Mar 12) councillors agreed a termination payment from Tesco, transfer of ground at Bridge Road, and the demolition of the former garage and glazier premises.
Councillors also agreed to honour its original commitment of funding from the Capital Plan to contribute towards the overall costs of the facilities.
Councillors agreed to proceed with the works at Banff Academy, Macduff and a refurbishment of the Canal Park Pavilion and soft and hard landscaping at the former garage and glazing area, at a cost in excess of £12.7million.
Works at Banff Academy include indoor and outdoor sports and community facilities and associated car parking and landscaping. The new centre will include community and office areas and viewing galleries for the sports hall and squash courts, as well as an outdoor terrace.
New football pitches will be created, along with running and cycling tracks, upgraded tennis courts, a refurbishment of the PE department and swimming pool and car parking works.
A new pavilion and football pitches will be created in Macduff and the existing pavilion at Canal Park will be refurbished.
As the supermarket is no longer being built at Canal Park, there is no requirement for the Council to proceed with the Common Good Order through the Court of Session. This means that construction of the facilities can begin in the next few months.
Council Leader Jim Gifford welcomed the announcement: “The communities of Banff and Macduff have waited a long time for this news. We were so pleased to have finally secured a deal last year that would have seen Tesco build a new store in the town and we were all disappointed when they announced earlier this year that the store would not be going ahead.
“I am delighted that we are able to commit to building the sports and leisure facilities that the towns so badly need. Tesco have committed to meet their contractual obligations, as well as doing what is right for the community and I thank them for their swift response and conclusion to the deal.
“It means we can begin building very soon and the leisure and sports facilities that the community have told us they need will finally become a reality.”
Chair of Banff & Buchan Area Committee, Cllr John Cox said: “I am so pleased that after many years these facilities will finally get built.
“I also welcome the decision of full council to finance the facilities from the Capital Plan and bring much-needed investment into the towns of Banff and Macduff. The area committee was fully supportive of the deal and we look forward to seeing the facilities progress.
“I am sure this will open the floodgates for new investment for leisure and sports facilities, with the spin-off of attracting new businesses to the area.”
Tony McElroy, Tesco’s Head of Government Relations in Scotland, said: “We wanted to do the right thing by the local community and we’re very pleased to have reached agreement with Aberdeenshire Council.”
The plans are being widely distributed to stakeholder groups in Banff and Macduff prior to a public drop-in session planned for Monday, March 23, 6pm to 8pm at Banff Academy. The drop-in sessions will give residents the opportunity to ask questions about the process, and next steps.