Retailer Home Bargains is banking on a green light for £16 million Arbroath store plans which they say will create more than 200 local jobs.
Liverpool-based parent company T J Morris will go before a special Angus Council meeting on Tuesday with plans for the 3.3 hectare site at Elliot Industrial Estate.
The discount chain would anchor the development, which includes a drive-thru and drive-to restaurant as well as other units.
It’s the second retail park proposal to come forward for the former Presentation Products factory site on Dundee Road.
The previous scheme was approved in 2019 but has never been progressed.
Home Bargains revealed their proposal for the brownfield site a year ago.
And Angus planners say councillors should give the go-ahead to this latest bid.
The development is against local development plan policy.
But officials say the existing permission is a key factor.
And they note the plan is slightly reduced in size.
Home Bargains say a revised application was submitted to meet more detailed operator requirements.
Site details
The site was also once home to Arbroath’s Metal Box factory.
It sits beside the Westway retail park which includes Asda, McDonalds, B&Q, Halfords and KFC.
The new plan will deliver:
- A 30,000 sq. ft Home Bargains store and 10,000 sq. ft garden centre
- Around 48,500 sq. ft of other retail space
- Drive-thru and drive-to restaurants
- 400 parking spaces, including 31 disabled spaces, 17 parent & child and 13 EV charging points
- Designated cycle parking at locations throughout the site
- New access onto the A92 Dundee Road
And there will be a yellow box junction created at the entrance to the adjacent Elliot caravan park.
Home Bargains has yet to reveal the other names which could be lined up for the site.
Aldi, Iceland, Costa and Burger King were all linked to the previous Brackenbrae Investments proposal.
Community consultation
Home Bargains said: “We are delighted our proposals have been recommended for approval by Angus Council.
“We anticipate the development will create up to 211 jobs and involve substantial overall investment of up to £16 million.
“We delivered a comprehensive online consultation programme which included a bespoke project website where all those with an interest in the proposals could view plans and importantly provide valuable feedback.”
The project website is still live and available to view at dundeeroaddevelopment.co.uk
Planners’ position
Angus officials recommend conditional approval for the application.
Chief planning officer Jill Paterson says: “Council has previously determined that large-scale retail development at this location represents a significant departure from development plan policy.
“However, council has also previously determined that large-scale retail development at this location is acceptable as it would improve the retail offer in Arbroath and would deliver significant economic benefit.
“In making that determination council granted planning permission for a development and that permission remains extant.
“The current application is similar to the existing permission but provides for reduced floorspace compared to the existing permission.
“Importantly, available information suggests the reduced and reconfigured retail floorspace would reduce retail impact on the town centre compared to impacts experienced if the extant planning permission was implemented.
“In these circumstances, and having regard to all relevant matters, the principle of the proposed development is considered acceptable.”
Conversation