Hopes of future energy and life sciences jobs could see Dundee councillors block plans for a new supermarket that would bring dozens of jobs to the city.
Council officials are recommending that councillors reject plans by Aldi to create a third city store on the Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate.
The discount retailer aims to create “up to 30 new jobs” and believes its offering will improve consumer choice for homes in the west of Dundee.
Bosses at the supermarket chain believe their case is strengthened by the need to provide adequate services for the hundreds of new homes being created as part of the Western Gateway development.
However, council planners have raised objections in a report that calls for the land to be saved for a business that will enhance Dundee’s reputation as a new industry powerhouse.
The first hurdle for the supermarket is that the former NCR factory site is not currently zoned for retail despite Asda securing permission to open a store on an adjacent parcel of land.
Planners are also of the belief that there is adequate shopping provision in the area, and have criticised a lack of detail with regards to the nature of the jobs being created.
It is understood that a number of alternative sites within the city have been proposed to Aldi by the council but each has been rejected by the applicant, which is keen to move into the west of Dundee.
In their report, planners note that: “There is strong cause for optimism within Dundee, with expected increased employment to be generated in various sectors, including energy related businesses in addition to those industries such as life sciences and digital media for which Dundee already has a strong reputation.
“The city needs to be ready to respond to these demands for employment land, and the retention of this land as a principle economic development area is essential in being able to deliver this.”
The proposal will be considered at a meeting of the council’s development management committee on Monday.Planners recently overruled after public backlashPlanning chiefs faced an outcry when they recommended that plans for a Sports Direct store in Dundee, which would create around 100 jobs, be rejected.
In June, officials had urged elected members to vote against the £5 million sports store and gym project in Lochee, but the proposal was passed.
Despite warnings that the shop would drag customers out of the city centre, councillors argued that the development would create almost 100 jobs in the area and bring the leisure park back into the community.
Councillor Tom Ferguson, who represents the Lochee ward, told the committee the project would be a boost to the area and that it should be approved.
At that time he said the Lochee area must be allowed to flourish, and called for development to help the area thrive.
His views were echoed by Paul Smith, the chairman of the Lochee Traders Association and the owner of Granada Cafe.
Mr Smith had said the council could risk putting off other investors at a time when the area is struggling.
The operations manager for TJ Morris, who own the Stack Leisure Park where the Sports Direct store will be located, agreed.
Joseph Morris had said it would be an “economic tragedy” if members rejected the plans.