Council advised to refuse retail plans

Plans to build a Home Bargains and Food Warehouse store in Dundee have been recommended for refusal by city planners.

The £10 m i l l ion development, earmarked for land near Myrekirk Road in West Gourdie Industrial Estate, would include four units with the other two yet to be filled.

Councillors have been advised to reject the plan at Monday ’s p lann ing comm ittee mee t ing because it is not in accordance with the local development plan.

If approved, it would be located to the north of the es ta te ’s new A ld i superstore, which opened in August last year, and east of Asda. The applicant is in disc ussions with Henrys Coffee House and Baynes Family Bakers to fill the third unit while the fourth would be marketed upon completion.

The wider development could feature a drive-thru restaurant but this would be decided upon separately under delegated powers.

Discount retailer Home Bargains operates three shops in Dundee whereas there are no stores open under the brand The Food Warehouse, run by frozen food specialist Iceland.

The firm behind the plan, Glasgow-based Marketgait Developments Ltd, say de veloping the vacant brownfield land will create 50 full- time equivalent direc t jobs as well as construc tion jobs and supply chain employment.

In a retail statement on behalf of the company, Iceni Projects Limited say there is a gap in the market.

It states: “The provision of a value retailer such as Home Bargains and the Food Warehouse is lacking within the western area of Dundee, resulting in existing and new residents having to travel outwith the locale to access this type of service.

“The proposal would assist in fulfilling a gap in current provision whilst also complementing the existing offer at the adjacent Asda, Tesco and Aldi at Myrekirk Road.

“The scale of the proposed development is also considered appropriate for its location.”

The real estate consultant added the population in western Dundee is expected to increase significantly in the coming years with the expansion of the Western Gateway development.

One objection has been received from Dundee Civic Trust, which claimed no new jobs would be created due to displacement from elsewhere.

Planning officers have recommended refusal under the Town Centres First policy, which states deve lopmen ts w i th significant footfall should be directed towards city centres and district centres to promote vibrancy.