The supermarket giant hopes to gain planning permission to build a 30,000 sq ft store on the outskirts of Banchory that would create an estimated 285 jobs.

A spokesperson said she was hopeful the plans for the eco-store would be ready for consideration by Aberdeenshire Council early in 2009.

Representatives of the supermarket also participated in the 'Making it Real – Banchory in 21st Century' event in the town hall last week.
Jennifer Duncan, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said the event was a worthwhile exercise.

She said: "Tesco has been encouraged by the very positive response to our plans for Banchory. There are some individuals who raised a number of valid issues about screening and improvements to the car park and landscaping, which we shall scrutinise further. Some people also consider that other sites may be available – but this is not the case.

"The fact that the site is already allocated in the Local Plan for employment use was not fully recognised by some attendees. But many of the people we spoke to appreciated that our proposed new eco-store in Banchory would also help reduce car journeys, link with local bus services and reduce the overall CO² impact of shopping in the wider area."

Ms Duncan added: "Although attendance at this event was half of the number who attended Tesco's own consultation event it is clear that people remain very keen to see additional choice and competition in Banchory.

"Many people in Banchory are enthusiastic about our proposals and there is an appreciation that a bespoke building tailored to address environmental issues would be a welcome asset to the town on a site that is already earmarked for development."