Last checked: 9 July 2026
The Tesco, Aldi and M&S Stonehaven planning issue is about competing supermarket proposals around Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. Aldi and M&S are linked to a proposed two-store retail development at Ury Estate, while Tesco is pursuing a separate supermarket proposal at New Mains of Ury, commonly linked with Stonehaven Gateway.
The dispute has become a business and planning story because Tesco has reportedly urged Aberdeenshire Council not to take a “light-touch” approach to the Aldi and M&S proposal.
Key highlights:
- Aldi and M&S are proposed at Ury Estate, where earlier supermarket permission already exists.
- Tesco has a separate application for a retail store, EV charging hub and café/restaurant at New Mains of Ury.
- Aberdeenshire Council, not the supermarkets, will decide the planning outcome.
- The central planning question is whether new supermarket provision can meet local demand without harming Stonehaven town centre.
- Opening dates remain uncertain until planning, legal and delivery steps are complete.
What Is Happening with the Tesco, Aldi and M&S Stonehaven Planning Dispute?
The Tesco, Aldi and M&S Stonehaven planning dispute involves two separate supermarket development routes.
Aldi and M&S are linked to Ury Estate. Local reporting says the proposal would change an earlier single-supermarket permission into two separate food retail units. Tesco’s position is different. It is connected to a separate New Mains of Ury / Stonehaven Gateway proposal.
At the centre of the row:
- Aldi and M&S would bring a discount and premium food retail mix.
- Tesco would bring a larger full-service supermarket format.
- Both proposals could change where Stonehaven residents do their main food shop.
- The council must consider retail impact, traffic, access, design and town-centre effects.
Press & Journal has reported that Tesco Supermarket urged Aberdeenshire Council not to take a “light-touch” approach to the Ury Estate plans.
That makes the story important for business readers because it combines retail competition with local planning risk.
Why Has Stonehaven Become a Focus for Supermarket Planning?
Stonehaven has become a retail target because local shopping demand appears strong. The town has long-running debate about whether it needs a larger main food supermarket, and several reports suggest many residents currently travel elsewhere for bigger grocery shops.
This matters commercially because grocery spending that leaves Stonehaven may support supermarkets in nearby areas instead of the local economy. Developers and retailers may see an opportunity to capture that spending closer to home.
Why May Retailers Be Interested?
- Stonehaven has a clear local identity and established residential base.
- Main-food-shop demand appears to be a recurring local concern.
- Edge-of-town sites may offer larger footprints than the town centre.
- Supermarket brands can compete across price, range, convenience and premium food.
However, planning is not based only on demand. Aberdeenshire Council must also consider whether new retail development would weaken town-centre vitality or create unacceptable traffic and infrastructure pressure.
What Are Aldi and M&S Planning at Ury Estate?
The Aldi Supermarket and M&S plan is focused on Ury Estate, off the A957 Slug Road. The proposal is significant because it would bring two well-known food retailers to one development area.
Ury Estate Retail Proposal
Stonehaven & District Community Council says the Ury Estate already has extant planning permission for “a supermarket” and that the newer proposals are for a medium-sized Aldi and M&S.
The same consultation page said Ury Estate hoped to submit a new planning application after carrying out a Retail Impact Assessment. Readers can check the local consultation background through the Stonehaven Community Council consultation.
What Would Aldi and M&S add?
Aldi would add a discount supermarket option. M&S would add a premium food retail option. Together, the two stores would not exactly mirror a single full-service supermarket, but they could still significantly change local food shopping patterns.
Planning Status and Timing
The community council information stated that Ury Estate hoped for consent in July and a possible 2027 opening. That should be treated carefully. A target date is not a confirmed opening date.
Ury Estate planning snapshot:
| Issue | Reported position |
| Location | Ury Estate, Stonehaven |
| Retailers | Aldi and M&S |
| Existing position | Supermarket permission already exists |
| Change proposed | Move from one supermarket concept to two food retail units |
| Key planning issue | Retail impact, access, layout and town-centre effect |
| Timing | 2027 possible, not confirmed |
The Ury Estate proposal could expand local food choice, but the planning authority still needs to assess the effect on Stonehaven as a whole.
Why Is Tesco Objecting to the Aldi and M&S Stonehaven Plans?
Tesco’s reported objection appears to focus on planning scrutiny. The key point is that Tesco has not decided the outcome. It can raise planning concerns, but Aberdeenshire Council must assess the evidence.
Retailer objections are common in supermarket planning cases. They may reflect commercial competition, but they can also raise valid planning questions.
Likely planning concerns:
- Whether the Aldi and M&S proposal is materially different from earlier consent.
- Whether an updated Retail Impact Assessment is needed.
- Whether Stonehaven town centre could lose trade.
- Whether traffic, parking and servicing plans are acceptable.
- Whether rival proposals are being treated consistently.
- Whether the decision could be legally vulnerable if evidence is not properly considered.
The wording matters. It would be risky to say Tesco has “blocked” Aldi and M&S. A more accurate statement is that Tesco has reportedly raised concerns and asked for closer scrutiny.
What Is Tesco Proposing at Stonehaven Gateway?
Tesco’s plan is separate from the Aldi and M&S proposals. It is linked to New Mains of Ury and the Stonehaven Gateway area.
Stonehaven Gateway and New Mains of Ury
Stonehaven & District Community Council says Ashfield Land confirmed plans to reapply for permission for a Tesco supermarket at New Mains of Ury after carrying out an enhanced Retail Impact Assessment. The same page also referred to an updated proposal with an EV charging hub.
Tesco Proposal, Jobs and Investment
The Bellman reported that Ashfield Land launched a fresh bid after a previous refusal, and that the earlier refusal followed councillor concerns about the cumulative impact of two stores on Stonehaven town centre.
Developer claims about jobs, investment and local spending should be presented as claims unless confirmed through council documents. That protects the article from overstatement and supports E-E-A-T standards.
What Will Aberdeenshire Council Need to Consider?
Aberdeenshire Council must assess the applications against planning policy and material planning considerations.
The council’s planning pages say the planning applications register is used to view applications, track progress and comment on applications. You can use the Aberdeenshire planning applications register to follow official records.
Main planning considerations:
- Retail impact on Stonehaven town centre.
- Traffic, parking and road safety.
- Access for vehicles, pedestrians and servicing.
- Design, layout and landscaping.
- Previous planning decisions.
- Local, regional and national planning policies.
- Community representations and consultee responses.
Aberdeenshire Council also explains that valid comments should raise material planning considerations such as traffic, parking, natural environment, design, layout and planning policies.
Its planning application comment guidance says people can object to or support an application during the prescribed consultation period.
That means residents should focus on planning matters, not personal views about a retailer.
Could New Supermarkets Help or Harm Stonehaven Town Centre?
New supermarkets could help Stonehaven if they keep more grocery spending local. They could also harm the town centre if they pull shoppers away from existing stores and reduce linked trips to independent businesses.
Potential impact table:
| Possible benefit | Possible risk |
| More local food shopping choice | Less footfall for town-centre shops |
| Fewer trips to other towns | More car-led shopping behaviour |
| New employment opportunities | Pressure on smaller food retailers |
| Stronger supermarket competition | Harder trading conditions for independents |
| Possible EV charging and infrastructure | More traffic around development sites |
The final impact will depend on evidence. A larger supermarket offer could reduce shopping leakage, but only if it does not create unacceptable harm to the existing town-centre economy.
What Does the Community Evidence Say About Supermarket Demand?
Community evidence suggests many local residents want stronger supermarket provision. It also shows why the issue is sensitive: local people may want more choice, while planners must consider wider consequences.
Local Demand for a Main Food Shop
Stonehaven & District Community Council’s consultation page said it wanted community views on both the Ury Estate Aldi/M&S proposal and the updated Tesco proposal.
Community Survey and Consultation
The council page said the supermarket survey closed on 30 April and that results were later published. It also stated that both supermarket proposals were relevant to the community council’s response.
Why Does Public Support Not Decide the Application?
Public support is important, but it is not the only test. Planning officers and councillors must weigh consultation feedback against retail impact, traffic, access, policy and technical evidence.
Community evidence should be read as:
- useful evidence of local shopping behaviour;
- a sign of public interest;
- not a substitute for formal planning assessment;
- not proof that every supermarket proposal should be approved.
This distinction is important for YMYL-style accuracy because planning outcomes can affect businesses, property, jobs and local investment.
What Happens Next in the Tesco, Aldi and M&S Stonehaven Planning Row?
The proposed development will continue through the planning process before a final decision is made. Until Aberdeenshire Council publishes its decision, the outcome remains uncertain and should not be treated as confirmed.
What to watch next:
- Publication of new or updated planning documents.
- Findings from the Retail Impact Assessment.
- Roads and transport consultation responses.
- Public objections and letters of support.
- Planning committee meetings or delegated decision updates.
- Any official announcements from the developer or retailers.
Developers and retailers have expressed support for the proposal, but these statements should be viewed as part of the planning process rather than confirmation that the new stores will proceed. A final decision will depend on the council’s assessment and the outcome of the planning application.
Conclusion
The Tesco, Aldi and M&S Stonehaven planning dispute is about more than supermarket rivalry. It raises important questions about local shopping choice, town-centre protection, traffic, jobs and future retail investment.
Residents may welcome stronger food shopping options, but Aberdeenshire Council must assess each proposal against planning policy and evidence.
Until decisions are confirmed, the safest conclusion is that Stonehaven’s supermarket future remains active, competitive and closely watched.
FAQs
Are Aldi and M&S definitely coming to Stonehaven?
No. Aldi and M&S are linked to the Ury Estate proposal, but opening depends on planning permission, legal agreements, infrastructure and delivery.
Is Tesco planning to build on the same site as Aldi and M&S?
No. Tesco is linked to New Mains of Ury / Stonehaven Gateway, while Aldi and M&S are linked to Ury Estate.
Can Tesco legally comment on a rival planning application?
Retailers and developers can usually submit planning representations if they raise relevant planning issues, such as traffic, parking, retail impact or policy compliance.
What is a Retail Impact Assessment?
A Retail Impact Assessment examines how a proposed retail development could affect existing shops, town-centre vitality, spending patterns and local retail capacity.
Could Stonehaven have all three retailers?
It is possible only if the relevant planning permissions and delivery steps are secured. The council must assess whether the combined impact is acceptable.
Why does the town centre matter in this planning case?
Town centres are protected in planning policy because they support local shops, services, footfall, employment and community life.
How should residents submit comments?
Residents should use Aberdeenshire Council’s planning portal and focus on material planning considerations such as traffic, design, parking, policy, amenity and retail impact.
Editorial Note:
This article uses a business-news and planning-explainer approach for UK Business Journals. It avoids presenting any proposal as approved unless that is supported by council records. It also avoids invented spokesperson quotes. The only quoted official wording used above comes from Aberdeenshire Council’s own planning guidance.
How We Checked?
This article was checked against accessible reporting from the supplied references, Aberdeenshire Council planning pages, the council’s APP/2026/0956 application documents page, Stonehaven & District Community Council material, The Bellman’s local planning reports and the community council supermarket survey.