Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Fears jobs could
Concerns raised over stance on planning
COUNCIL planners were today warned that Dundee could miss out on new jobs if they continue to stand in the way of out-of-town retail developments.
Officials have urged councillors to reject two major proposals for new shops and amenities just off the Kingsway at opposite ends of the city.
Councillors will meet on Monday to decide whether to agree with the planners, or reject their views and allow a Lidl and Costa development at Kingsway East, along with plans for a nursery, Starbucks and Domino’s Pizza outlet to arrive at Dunsinane Industrial Estate.
The local authority believes the Lidl plans would potentially affect other retail locations such as the city centre, and only support industrial use of the land both there and at Dunsinane.
That is despite the promise from developers that the two proposals would create more than 300 part and full-time jobs combined.
Planners have previously urged councillors to reject a new Aldi supermarket at Myrekirk and redeveloped Next store at Kingsway Retail Park for similar reasons.
Tim Allan, a Dundee-based property developer who is president of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, said he hoped the council had “done its research” over these new developments.
He added: “There thinking that goes decisions.
“This idea that out-of-town retail is is a into lot of these to be discouraged is not one I agree with. The council has had a policy on city development for years.
“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.”
There is still the chance the developments could be approved — with councillors previously rejecting the planners’ views on the Aldi development. Stella Carrington, who spoke out in favour of that Aldi store at the time plans came forward, said today: “Anything that brings jobs into the city should be welcomed.
“I’ve heard people calling Dundee ‘Trolley City’ but these businesses all seem to be doing well, so why wouldn’t we welcome new employers and employment for the people of Dundee?
“There has been far too much emphasis on the city centre and the Waterfront — I’m sick to death hearing about it. People outwith the centre deserve to have these businesses and opportunities in other areas of the city. It would be a slap in the face to locals if these deals fell through.”
The city council doesn’t comment on planning applications until they have been through the development management committee, while councillors are unable to talk about the plans before they make a decision.
It comes as new figures have revealed that employment in Dundee is on the up. The latest data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that the number of