Plans for Aldi store in Milnathort refused by Perth and Kinross Council

Aldi has been left "disappointed" after Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) refused planning permission for the supermarket chain to build a £5.3 million store in Milnathort.

PKC received 105 objections to the plans and 259 letters of support with Aldi saying there were nearly 1000 letters of support from local residents received during its consultation and "limited consumer choice within the area".

On Thursday, April 18 the planning authority decided - under delegated powers - to refuse the plans because the area has been set aside for employment use and because it is an "out of centre" retail development.

On May 31, 2022 Avison Young submitted plans on behalf of Aldi Stores to build a supermarket at Auld Mart Business Park Kingfisher House on Milnathort's Orwell Road.

The decision notice - published on April 18 - said the site was allocated for employment use in the local development plan. While Aldi would have potentially provided jobs for 35 people, PKC's decision notice said its local development plan "specifically states that proposals for retail uses in employment areas will not be acceptable unless they are ancillary to an acceptable use on the site".

The second reason for refusal was that it went against the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), "which does not support retail proposals in out of centre locations".

Aldi is reviewing its options following the decision.

An Aldi spokesperson said: "We are disappointed by Perth and Kinross Council’s refusal of our application for a new Aldi store in Milnathort despite the high levels of public support, and we will be reviewing our options following their decision.

"The proposed development represented a £5.3 million investment in the area, and the potential for 35 new jobs for local people within the store.

"With limited consumer choice within the area, a new Aldi in Milnathort and Kinross could provide a discount food option, and allow members of the local community to shop more sustainably by travelling less.

"Following well attended public consultation events and nearly 1,000 letters of support from residents, it became clear that there was a high level of demand within the local area.

"We would like to thank everyone who engaged with and supported the proposals while we consider our options moving forward."