Councillors in Dundee have rejected plans for a discount supermarket on the outskirts of Broughty Ferry.
German firm Aldi wanted to build the store, their fourth in the city, on land to the north of Arbroath Road to cater for customers in the east end of Dundee.
The £4.25 million store would have created 35 full-time jobs but councillors voted against the plans by 17 votes to six.
Council officers had recommended the plan was refused because the three hectare site had been earmarked for industrial use.
Councillors also expressed concerns the store would take customers away from shops in the heart of Broughty Ferry.
Aldi property director Philip Johnston pledged the firm would pay to build two industrial units behind the store in addition to subsidising a bus route, contributing to a new footpath and installing chargers for electric vehicles in the car park.
Mr Johnston also said no other suitable sites are available in the Broughty Ferry area for an Aldi but there is clear demand for one of their supermarkets in the area.
He said 25% of customers in the company’s branch further down Arbroath Road come form the Broughty Ferry and Monifieth areas.
But Dundee City Council planning committee convener Will Dawson said it would be “inconsistent” for the application to be approved as it is counter to the local development plan.
And he said that although nobody has shown interest in developing the land for the past decade, there has been interest in adjacent sites which showed there is a demand.
Mr Dawson said: “I am not anti-business but we have policies and procedures in place and we have to make sure they are followed.
“We have to make sure things are done in the right place.”
An amendment to grant the planning application was put forward by independent North East councillor Gregor Murray.
Councillor Murray said building the store on “such a small slice” of land would have a negligible impact on the amount left for industrial development.
The former SNP councillor added: “I think the jobs are to be welcomed, especially such high paying ones.
“If I don’t get re-elected, I might apply.”
The councillor’s amendment was backed by Labour Maryfield councillor Georgia Cruickshank.
But the motion to refuse Aldi’s application was defeated by 17 votes to six.
Following the meeting Mr Johnston said he was “disappointed” by the committee’s decision.
Councillors also approved plans to build 27 new homes on land north of Harvest Field Crescent in Whitfield.
