The developer behind a £30 million store to be built in Perth has withdrawn its planning application, The Courier can reveal.
Manse LLP had hoped to construct the 55,000 square feet supermarket and petrol station at Newton of Huntingtower Farm, a 6.8-hectare site that borders St Johnstone FC’s stadium, McDiarmid Park.
Despite not identifying any retail operator with the project, the Edinburgh firm had aimed to start work on the site in the autumn.
In May, the council’s new development management committee granted approval for an alternative £40 million plan for a supermarket by Sainsbury’s. This will be built on the former Perth Mart site, just off the A85 Crieff Road. Vital road improvements on the A85 and A9 will take place prior to the development starting, which Sainsbury’s has said it will contribute to financially.
Sainsbury’s has stated its supermarket development will create 450 jobs.
Manse LLP previously slated the council for giving the green light to Sainsbury’s proposal and has now withdrawn its own plan.
David Mitchell, managing partner of Manse LLP, said the firm was ”extremely disappointed” to do so, adding: ”Newton Farm was clearly the better proposal but we don’t feel the members were given an opportunity to compare it with the Sainsbury’s site.
”We don’t feel we were dealt with fairly and have grave reservations about bringing further investment to Perth in the future.”
He also criticised council chiefs, claiming Manse LLP was not allowed to speak at a meeting.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: ”The council is satisfied that this application was dealt with entirely in accordance with proper planning process, and we would refute any suggestion of unfairness.
”Manse LLP requested to make a deputation at the development management committee meeting that decided on the Sainsbury’s planning application because they were promoting an alternative site for a supermarket.
“However, Manse LLP failed to object to the Sainsbury’s application within the statutory time period, and members of the committee therefore took the decision that it would not be appropriate to allow them a deputation.”