Supermarket giant Lidl has hit out after councillors were urged to refuse its plans for a new supermarket on the site of a former factory on Kingsway East in Dundee.
The German company has submitted a joint application with I&H Brown to build the store on the site of the former ABB Factory, which has been vacant for 14 years.
The £6.9 million plans also include proposals for a drive-through branch of Costa Coffee, a restaurant, car showroom and 10 industrial units.
Dundee City Council’s development management committee will decide on the proposal on Monday but officers have recommended it is refused because it contravenes the local plan, which states the land should be kept for industrial use.
Lidl says 172 jobs would be created by the development, including 40 in the supermarket itself, but the report to go before committee says these numbers cannot be verified.
It also says objections to the proposal have been submitted by Dundee Civic Trust, who said it could take business away from the city centre, and Asda, which says it already offers similar products at its Milton of Craigie supermarket on the other side of the Kingsway.
However, Lidl said its own public consultation on the proposals had proved there is widespread public support for its plans.
Ginny Lawson, project manger at the Brooksbank Centre, said: “We are shocked and disappointed at the recommendation to refuse this project.
“As a member of the Dundee Fairness Commission, I recognise the importance of projects like this one in creating much needed employment in the East End.
“We also do a lot of work with people on the lowest incomes, who find it difficult to budget for their day-to-day needs. Having a store like Lidl, within walking distance for residents, will have a very real and positive impact, while also providing up to 40 jobs.”
Tommy Devlin, development manager at I&H Brown said: “Bringing employment and new business into local communities like this is crucial for the positive growth of Dundee’s economy.
“We are confident that the Development Management Committee will recognise these benefits and give us a fair hearing on Monday.”
Gordon Rafferty, head of property for Lidl in Scotland said: “We are obviously surprised and disappointed in the planning officer’s decision to recommend our project for refusal, especially given the significant support that we have received from local residents.”
“We are committed to our proposals and hope that a positive outcome will be delivered for the local communities on Monday.”
Officials have also urged councillors to reject plans for a development including a nursery, Starbucks, and Domino’s Pizza outlet in Dunsinane Industrial Estate.
As with the Lidl development, council officers say the land should be reserved for industrial use.
Tim Allan, a Dundee-based property developer who is president of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, said: “This idea that out-of-town retail is to be discouraged is not one I agree with.
“Are we seeing the benefit of the policy of discouraging out-of-town retail in favour of the town centre? I don’t necessarily see that benefit across the city.”
