Aldi's planning application to build Macduff supermarket will be assessed by councillors next week
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Councillors will assess the resubmitted planning application to build an Aldi supermarket in Macduff next week.
The Banff and Buchan area committee will scrutinise the proposal during its meeting on Tuesday, September 12.
In the report that will go before local members Aberdeenshire Council's planning department has recommended it be approved.
Aldi’s original planning application for a new supermarket on the Duff Street site was approved by Aberdeenshire Council in August 2022, however this decision was legally challenged by Tesco in January this year via a Judicial Review.
As a result of this process, the planning permission previously granted for the new food store was quashed.
Aldi then unveiled a new masterplan for the Duff Street site in April and subsequently held a public consultation in the town's Buchan Street Hall before its approval in June. The masterplan also includes a 22-home housing development and potential for a healthcare facility.
Following this the German retailer submitted its new planning application for the proposed supermarket in July.
It will now go before Banff and Buchan councillors next Tuesday.
In the report by senior planner Bruce Strachan it states: "This application seeks full planning permission for one element of the overall masterplan development, namely the erection of a retail foodstore (Class 1) with associated car parking, access, landscaping and associated works.
"The site is located in the north-east corner of the allocated area and extends to approximately 1.1ha.
"To the immediate east of the site is the B9026 (Duff Street), where vehicular access is proposed to be taken from.
"On the opposite side of this road is the Macduff Community and Sports Centre. North of the site is an established residential area (Corskie Drive).
"To the south of the application site it is proposed to form a new vehicular access road that will serve the retail foodstore and be designed to a standard sufficient to service the other uses and plots agreed in the Masterplan.
"This will lead to the main car park with 107 spaces (including seven disabled, nine parent and child, and four electric vehicle charging).
"A bus halt is also proposed at the store entrance and access to the service yard area is to the west side. Cycle stands are shown adjacent to the car park at the east side.
"The building will have a gross floor space of 1881 square metres with a sales area of 1315 square metres.
"Its principal elevation and glazed entrance porch will face south, with a secondary, glazed elevation facing east to Duff Street.
"To the north and west of the site will be the ancillary and servicing space and the proposed elevations reflect this on these less prominent elevations. Within the enclosed yard to the west side of the building will be a delivery area and bin store."
The report concludes that the application should be granted.
It outlines: "This proposal is for a relatively modest retail store on land identified as a commercial centre within Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023.
"It has still been necessary to assess and demonstrate that there is no sequentially preferable site available and viable and that, should the store be built, that it will not have a significantly detrimental impact on any existing town centre. Specific retail policy provisions must also be met.
"The Planning Service, having considered the significant amount of supporting information, undertaken its own assessment and reviewed representations, is satisfied that the proposal meets the key policy tests to establish the principle of the proposed development in this case.
"Although, technically a departure from Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023, it is considered an acceptable departure for the reasons outlined above.
"It is also clear that there is a significant body of support locally for the proposed development and, some weight must also be given to that.
"Detailed consideration of the layout, siting and design, technical matters related to noise, access, parking and drainage has all been undertaken and found to be acceptable, in some cases subject to conditions.
"Ultimately, the proposed development would be an appropriate use on this allocated site and potentially unlock and facilitate the other uses through the shared access road.
"Delivery of the anticipated masterplanned development would help create an example of local living and contribute positively to a 20min neighbourhood, which is a fundamental aspiration of the development plan when considering new proposals."
Aberdeenshire Council received 150 representations regarding the planning application with 145 in support and five objections.
The reasons to support include much needed investment in Macduff; the facilities are needed to keep up with the level of new development; the economic benefits to the town; and the employment opportunities.
The objectors issues included the overbearing on neighbouring properties; the potential noise disturbance from the delivery bay; the proposed planting is insufficient to screen the development; and the unsustainable form of development that will increase travel, use of cars and social exclusion.
The report outlines that Aberdeenshire Council's consultees have no objections to the proposal.
