Supermarket controversy vote is unprecedented 28/3/14
The vote over the Co-
Many vociferous campaigns rise up against supermarkets expansion into every corner of the country but it is thought this is the first time the entire electorate in a community has had the formal right to veto or approve a store proposal.
As North Harris is owned under a community buyout, it is ultimately controlled by the people who live on the estate.
Landlord, North Harris Trust, set up an independent postal ballot and suspended talks
with the Co-
To ensure they had no part in the arrangements, he trust commissioned the Comhairle’s
election team -
Some 70% of people in North Harris who took voted backed resuming negotiations over the proposed development.
The supermarket group is seeking a site to build a new store similar to its shop across Uist and Barra.
No location has been identified while a house plot at Sunnyhill being marketed by the trust is likely to be too small for a retail store.
North Harris Trust chairman Calum Mackay explained: “Some members of the local community
-
“We decided to have an open ballot to get the views of everyone on the electoral register (in North Harris).
“The ballot demonstrated that there is a clear majority of the local community who
are happy for the trust to have further talks with the Co-
However, many locals believe the impact kill off the heart of the village and also affect all food stores around the island.
Mairead Maclennan who works in Brownie’s grocery shop in Tarbert said: “It would
be the end of the small shops -
Tarbert will “be a dead village in the end with noting for tourists.”
She said the unique personal service provided at Brownies would be lost such as the free lifts home and delivery service the shop owner gives to the elderly.
A spokesperson for the Co-
“We have had some preliminary discussions with the North Harris Trust about the possibility of opening a store in Tarbert, but these are at a very early stage and no decisions have been taken.”
The Co-