PLANS by two of the UK's biggest retailers to set up shop in one area look set to be rejected by local authority planners.
Waitrose and Marks and Spencer will hear tomorrow if their applications to build supermarkets near Ayr have been approved.
But councillors with South Ayrshire Council have been advised by their officials to refuse permission for the schemes to go ahead, with both falling foul of local building guidelines.
However, some members of the local authority have called for the projects to be given councillors' backing, with experts saying they could boost the local economy by £50 million.
One councillor said: "There is a huge amount at stake here. These proposals could be critical to the economic future of South Ayrshire."
Waitrose want to open a new store at Holmston Roundabout, while Marks and Spencer would build at a retail park near the town.
However, sales at Heathfield Retail Park are currently restricted to just DIY, auto care, bulky goods, furniture and electronics.
The plan has gained widespread support, but 26 objections from Ayr town centre traders. The report of council planner Adrian Browne states: "These objections focus upon concern that unrestricted sales at Heathfield would have on the town centre.
"These concerns are consistent with my concerns over the potential detrimental impact of unrestricting the range of goods that can be sold at the HRP would have on the town centre."
However, one councillor said: "Our local development plan dates back to Kyle and Carrick Council in the 1990s.
"Although it gets updated periodically, it's frankly still as valid as it was back then.
"It has failed to move with the times and address the big issues such as internet shopping and people's shopping habits. It's a policy which is out of keeping with the world we now live in."
All 30 councillors will meet to decide the fate of the Waitrose and Marks and Spencer proposals tomorrow.
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