The vast majority of nearby residents support plans for the capital's first 'supermarket on stilts', consultation feedback suggests.

Developer Morbaine Ltd showcased plans for an 80,000 sq ft store on the former B&Q site on Inglis Green Road, Longstone, on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

The proposed store is on two levels – with a secure, weatherproof car park on the ground level and the retail floor on the upper level linked by special moving ramps, or 'travelators'. The indicative design incorporates high quality modern features, including a 'wall of glass' on its main frontage.

Meanwhile, demolition of old industrial units behind the former B&Q will allow a landscaped walkway along the Water of Leith to be created.

Over 150 people attended the two-day event at Slateford-Longstone church hall. More than 100 completed a feedback questionnaire, with results indicating strong support.

In total, 89% of respondents welcomed greater choice for food shoppers in Longstone, with 86% saying Morbaine’s project would help meet that need and a further 11% saying 'maybe'.


Currently, 69% of residents said they usually travelled outside the area for their food shopping due to lack of choice, with an additional 25% saying they sometimes did.

Eighty-eight percent of visitors said the area needed the 400 full and part-time jobs the project could create, while 93% said the regeneration of the currently-disused former B&Q site would be beneficial to the area.

Alex Brodie, director of Morbaine, said: "We were delighted that so many people took the time to come and view our proposals for Inglis Green Road.

"The results of our feedback questionnaire are quite overwhelming and show a large majority in favour of the proposed store and the benefits it could bring in terms of jobs and regeneration.

"Many visitors expressed concern about potential increased traffic around the supermarket and this is a valid worry we are keen to address. Most of these people were reassured to hear that we are planning significant highways improvements as part of this project, which will see lights controlling traffic flow along Inglis Green Road, into and out of the store and out of Redhall Drive.

"Studies we have commissioned from experts at Halcrow indicate this will ensure the extra traffic is managed and will create a more orderly situation for residents than exists at present."

The firm will now analyse the feedback in detail to see if any adjustments need to be made to the proposals before submitting our planning application to City of Edinburgh Council in June or July.

Although a retailer has not yet been selected, several national supermarkets have expressed interest in the site. Morbaine will continue to own the land after any store is built, with the retailer leasing the premises from Morbaine.

Anyone wishing to make comments prior to the submission of the planning application may do so by writing directly to: Morbaine Ltd, The Finlan Centre, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 8PU, or by downloading one of the feedback forms online at: www.morbaine.co.ukwww.morbaine.co.uk. The deadline for comments is Friday 30th April 2010.

(GK)