A supermarket giant planning to transform a derelict plot of land in the heart of a north-east town have let the planning permission for the site expire.
Aldi was granted permission to transform the former Kirkburn Mill land in Peterhead into a retail outlet back in November 2010.
The statutory five-year time period in which work must begin has now expired and the firm has now applied for an extension.
But far from being bad practice, a spokesman for Aldi said the extension was merely an “insurance policy” for a second, more ambitious proposal for the land off Peterhead’s Kirk Street.
In August this year the retailer submitted proposals to build two retail outlets on the land which was formerly occupied by the town’s textile mill. One unit will be occupied by Aldi themselves, and the other leased or sold to a different retailer.
Those proposals are currently under consideration by Aberdeenshire Council’s planning team and are expected to be put before Buchan councillors early next year.
Last night Aldi’s agent James Harbison said: “We’re talking about two different planning applications here. The 2010 is lapsing if it is not renewed, and this application is to renew the existing permission granted in 2010.
“That’s separate from a fresh application which Aldi lodged earlier this year and is currently before the council. One is an insurance policy for the other.”
Mr Harbison added: “But Aldi’s intention is to implement the new application.”
The derelict site has long been considered an eyesore by local residents and has lain empty for seven years since Aldi bought the ground.
But now that the firm has shown renewed enthusiasm to finally provide a branch, community leaders have expressed their support.
Peterhead Community Council chairman John Brownlee said: “They’ve put in for an extension and they’ve put in a demolition proposal for the remaining buildings. They’re showing more of an interest now and they’ve also just made a donation to the town’s Gift Tree project.
Mr Brownlee could not confirm the value of the donation, but added: “That shows their on going commitment and interest in the town. Whether it’s £5, or £5,000 it doesn’t matter because they have made it and they’ve made it before they’ve begun
trading here.”