A budget supermarket giant has launched a planning appeal to the Scottish Government after plans for a new store were knocked back by Dundee City Council.
German firm Aldi planned to build the city’s forth store on the land on Tom Johnston Road at West Pitkerro Industrial Estate to cater for customers in the east end of Dundee.
The appeal comes after councillors rejected plans to build a discount store on the outskirts on Broughty Ferry.
Aldi bosses hope the Scottish Government will overturn the decision, as they launch an appeal bid to the government’s planning appeal division.
A decision is expected to be reached in March, following a site inspection from officials.
Council officers had recommended the plan be refused because the three-hectare site had been reserved for industrial use, rather than retail.
Concerns were also raised that the store would drive customers away from shops in the heart of Broughty Ferry.
The plans were slammed by Broughty Ferry community council, whose members expressed fears building the store to the north of Arbroath Road would lead to serious congestion.
The £4.25 million store would have created 35 full-time jobs but councillors rejected the plans by 17 votes to six in September.
At the time of rejection, Aldi claimed there was clear demand for the store in the east of the city, as shoppers had to travel almost five miles to the nearest store.
The new store would serve residents living in Mid-Craigie, Douglas and Broughty Ferry as well as those living in Monifieth.
Aldi’s property director Philip Johnston told councillors: “There is a clear demand for one of our supermarkets in the area.
“We would also build two industrial units behind the store and we would be prepared to subsidise a new bus route, contribute to a new footpath and install chargers for electric vehicles in the car park.”
The site has been empty for a decade, with Aldi presenting the best opportunity to developing business there, according to landowners James Keiller Estates.
The German supermarket giants have stores at the Kingsway, Lochee and at Myrekirk.
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing legal matter.”
Aldi had not responded to a request for comment.
