Councillors to scrutinise revived Perth supermarket proposal

Resurrected plans for a new Perth supermarket will go before councillors next week.

The £40 million proposal for the old Perth mart site was originally scrapped after a legal spat between rival retail giants.

Sainsbury’s had originally staked a claim in the development and said its shop would create more than 400 jobs. However, the firm has said it is not involved in the revived project and now has no plans to set up store in Perth.

Developers have applied to Perth and Kinross Council to renew planning consent which is due to expire this year.

The bid will be discussed by members of the development management committee next Wednesday.

Although they will not be allowed to comment directly on the scheme, councillors will be asked to raise any issues that need to be addressed during the planning process.

A public consultation will follow in the coming weeks.

In his report to councillors, development quality manager Nick Brian said one of the key considerations will be the supermarket’s impact on town centre traders.

The supermarket plan was originally lodged by Glasgowbased business consortium Perth City West LLP, but the company went into administration in September 2014.

FRP Advisory, which has been appointed administrators, is behind the latest application.

A spokeswoman said the company was keen to keep planning consent alive although, so far, there was no fresh interest in the development.

The former mart, which was run by United Auctions, was closed down seven years ago when its operations were moved to Stirling.