Wednesday June 15th 2022
An artist's impression of the proposed Aldi store in Straiton.
People power has seen Aldi given the go ahead for a new store at Straiton despite objections from competitors.
Midlothian planners were set to refuse planning permission for the new store which will lie across the road from Asda and Ikea after ruling it lay on greenbelt land.
However, local councillors said they had received dozens of emails supporting the arrival of the discount brand in their community. A Facebook page Aldi Straiton was also set up and encouraged people to sign a petition in favour of the store.
Councillors rejected the advice of planners to give the new store the go ahead.
At a virtual meeting of the council’s planning committee, local ward members rejected the description of the site of the new store as “countryside”.
Councillor Pauline Winchester, who called in the application, said: “The fact planning has called it in the countryside is not quite true. It is exactly opposite Asda and Straiton is a couple of hundred yards away.
“With the advent of the high cost of fuel, the possibility of Edinburgh having a congestion charge, everything needs to be discussed by all of us.”
Councillor Winchester said she had received 15 emails supporting the new store and none against it.
Fellow ward councillor Peter Smaill added: “I think it is all about intensifying competition at Straiton. The land itself is not of any particular landscape value so on the balance of public advantage I think the case is for this to be approved.”
And councillor Kelly Parry, also representing the Loanhead ward, said: “I’ve had at least 21 email over the last few days as I am sure lots of members have.”
Planning adviser Peter Arnsdorf said regardless of how the site felt it was classed as countryside in the local authority’s local development plan.
And he said town centre policies required officers to look at whether the new store could be better placed in the town centre itself or nearest vacant sites.
Roslin and Bilston Community Council and Damhead Community Council both objected to the Aldi store arguing it was on the wrong side of the A701 and should be on the same side as Straiton Retail Park as well as raising concerns about access to the new store.
And Straiton Retail Park’s bosses objected saying there was no need for additional land to be given for retail.
Planning convenor Councillor Russell Imrie also voiced concern about allowing the store on the other side of the A701 from the retail park and creating a new retail corridor on greenbelt.
However, Gorebridge councillor Ellen Scott told the committee she would be delighted if stores like Aldi were coming to her ward, issuing a plea to retailers to consider her ward in the future.
The committee unanimously agreed to approve planning permission for the new Aldi store.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “We are very pleased with the decision, and would especially like to thank the local residents who were so supportive of the application and our proposals to come to Straiton.
“Following the success of our recently opened store in Dalkeith, we can’t wait to bring our award-winning offer to Straiton, further enhancing our presence in Midlothian, whilst creating up to 35 new job opportunities and increasing the choice and value for shoppers in the area.”
The Aldi facebook encouraging people to sign their petition.
The Midlothian Planner’s report recommended that planning permission be refused for the following reasons:
1. The proposed development directly conflicts with policy RD1 of the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017 which restricts the development of primarily retail based development within the countryside.
2. The site of the proposed development is outwith any area allocated for retail based development and outside the settlement limits of Loanhead; the application does not demonstrate that the proposed development would not undermine the vitality and viability of other town and local centres; the proposed development does not deliver environmental improvements to the Straiton Commercial Hub, and therefore the proposed development conflicts with policy TCR2 of the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017.
3. The proposed development would result in a building lacking in architectural interest and the creation of a car dominated frontage of both the A701 and Pentland Road with insufficient landscaping to reflect the sites greenfield character or screen the proposed development, and is considered to conflict with policy DEV6 of the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017.
CLICK HERE to read the full Midlothian Planner’s report on the planning application.
Watch the planning meeting decision in the video below.
