Supermarket chain is seeking government help in planning row

A budget supermarket giant has launched a planning appeal to the Scottish Government after plans for a new store were knocked back by Dundee City Council.

Aldi planned to build the store on the land on Tom Johnston Road at West Pitkerro Industrial Estate to cater for customers in the east end of Dundee.

The appeal comes after councillors rejected plans to build a discount store on the outskirts on Broughty Ferry.

Council officers recommended the plan be refused because the three-hectare site had been reserved for industrial rather than retail use.

Concerns were also raised that the store would drive customers away from shops in the heart of Broughty Ferry.

The plans were slammed by Broughty Ferry community council, whose members expressed fears that building the store north of Arbroath Road would lead to serious congestion.

The £4.25 million store would have created 35 full-time jobs.

However, councillors rejected the plans by 17 votes to six in September.

Aldi claimed there was clear demand for the store in the east of the city, as shoppers had to travel almost five miles to the nearest store.

Aldi’s property director Philip Johnston told councillors: “There is a clear demand for one of our supermarkets in the area.

“We would also build two industrial units behind the store and we would be prepared to subsidise a new bus route, contribute to a new footpath and install chargers for electric vehicles in the car park.”

The site has been empty for a decade, with Aldi presenting the best opportunity to developing business there, according to landowners James Keiller Estates.

The German supermarket giant has stores at the Kingsway, Lochee and at Myrekirk.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment.”