NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 13 October 2009a FUTURE PERTH DEVELOPMENTS RAISED IN PARLIAMENT Perth, Scone and surrounding community residents must be fully consulted and back any supermarket development in the area: that is the demand from Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser after he raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament. Murdo Fraser asked the SNP Government whether it, or its agencies, has or will undertake a feasibility study into the impact on local businesses of a proposed new supermarket in Perth. In response, the Enterprise Minister Jim Mather MSP stated: “No feasibility study has been undertaken, however, in the event of a planning application being made, the impact of a supermarket on existing shops would be one of a number of considerations taken into account by the planning authority in reaching a decision.” Commenting, Murdo said: “The SNP Government has made it clear that there is yet to be any feasibility studies into a possible new supermarket on the outskirts of Perth. I hope that local business will have a large say and input in any discussions on possible future developments on the outskirts of Perth. “I believe that it is essential that we have thriving town centres across Perth & Kinross, and Perth must act as the centre of shopping instead of local people going off to Dundee or further afield. Another large out-of-town supermarket will cause even more competition for our town centre shops and this must be taken into consideration. That is why it is vital that any possible future development plans have the full backing of residents and the local business community in Perth, Scone and the surrounding area.” ENDS Full Parliamentary Question and Answer: Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it, or its agencies, has or will undertake a feasibility study into the impact on local businesses of a proposed new supermarket in Perth. (S3W-27327) Mr Jim Mather: No feasibility study has been undertaken, however, in the event of a planning application being made, the impact of a supermarket on existing shops would be one of a number of considerations taken into account by the planning authority in reaching a decision. ENDS   back to top of page