Supermarket giants Lidl hope to start construction on their new Dundee store early next year — despite the city council slapping 23 strict conditions on the proposed development.
Councillors in Dundee narrowly granted permission in principle for the near £7 million development on Monday evening.
But Lidl and Perth-based developers I&H Brown, who submitted a joint application, must now draw up detailed plans that satisfy the strict conditions imposed by city planners.
As well as the new supermarket, Lidl and I&H Brown want to build a drive-thru coffee shop, pub and restaurant and 10 industrial units on the site of the former ABB factory.
Council officers had recommended the application was refused as the proposed site was supposed to be retained for industrial use.
But council officers have imposed 23 separate conditions on the development that must be fulfilled before it goes ahead.
These include a ban on any construction work starting on the supermarket, drive-thru or pub and restaurant until the 10 industrial units have been built.
Lidl and I&H Brown will also have to commission public artworks for the development which will need to be approved by the council and installed before the development is completed.
The supermarket is expected to create 40 jobs while another 132 jobs are estimated across the rest of the development.
Marc Giles from Ryden Planning, who acted on behalf of the applicants, said: “This site has been vacant for 14 years and the proposal brought forward by our clients has the potential to generate much needed employment in this area of Dundee.
“Our presentation to council members highlighted that uses, such as retail outlets and commercial units, for which there is a demonstrable need, would see this site regenerated.
“We are delighted to have secured planning permission in principle and will now begin work on the detailed plans. Our clients would very much like to see construction start on site early in the new year.”
Tommy Devlin, development manager at I&H Brown said: “This project will create up to 172 jobs for local residents, as well as space for new and existing local businesses, making a significant contribution to Dundee’s economic growth.
“Moving forward we will continue to engage with the council and the community to ensure the proposed development benefits local residents and the city as a whole.”
Gordon Rafferty, head of property for Lidl in Scotland said: “We are happy with the outcome and would like to thank everyone for their support throughout this process.
“We are committed to our proposals for the Kingsway East site and will ensure that we work closely with the council, local community and stakeholders as we bring forward a detailed application.
He added: “We will now get a detailed application drawn up and we aim to do that within the next three to four months.”
