Long-awaited work starts on new Aldi supermarket in Macduff
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Construction work has commenced to build the new Aldi supermarket in Macduff.
Diggers and heavy machinery broke ground at the Duff Street site this week in what has been a long running saga for the community.
Aldi’s original planning application for a new store was approved by Aberdeenshire Council in August 2022, however this decision was legally challenged by Tesco in January 2023 via a Judicial Review.
As a result of this process, the planning permission previously granted for the new supermarket was quashed.
Aldi then unveiled a new masterplan for the Duff Street site in April 2023 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 store in July.
It was initially due to be scrutinised by the Banff and Buchan area committee in September, however, this was delayed as a late objection was lodged and time was needed to assess the matters raised.
It was deferred until the October meeting but there was a further delay to allow the local authority to continue to consider the points raised.
With that work completed and an independent Retail Impact Assessment carried out, the application went before councillors at the end of November.
It was confirmed during the meeting that a further late representation was received but after the content was examined by Aberdeenshire Council's planning service and legal department it was found to not raise any new matters.
The application was once again approved by councillors.
The final hurdle was cleared in February when an alcohol licence was approved which allowed work to start on the £3.3 million supermarket.
Andy Doyle, Aldi’s real estate director, said: “I am delighted to say that we have appointed contractors and have started on site this week.
“We look forward to welcoming local residents into the store and will confirm the planned opening date in due course.”
The new store is expected to open to the public in early 2025.
