Aldi has been given permission to build a badly-needed supermarket in Macduff after an “overwhelming” show of support from locals desperate for more choice.
The German chain lodged highly-anticipated plans for the store at the start of November.
And since then more than 130 residents flooded Aberdeenshire Council with letters calling for the Duff Street scheme to be approved.
And now the local authority’s planning department has granted them their wish.
When might new Macduff Aldi open?
A “delighted” Aldi spokesman confirmed the firm will plough £3.27m into the development – which will create up to 35 local jobs.
He said: “We have been overwhelmed with support for the proposals both during our own consultation and that undertaken by Aberdeenshire Council.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support, and we can’t wait to bring our award-winning discount offer to the area’’.
Now the plans have been approved, work is expected to begin next March.
And, all going well, the shop could open by the end of next year.
What did locals say?
Locals told the council how a new Macduff Aldi would make shopping much easier for them.
Fiona Cook said: “I won’t have to travel so far, or have to pay to have my shopping delivered, when Aldi opens here.
“It will provide the choice and value that I want.”
Linda Innes agreed that it “would save having to go out of town for shopping”.
Martin MacDougall added: “As a family that requires significant groceries on a weekly basis, I fully support this development.
“It will bring that much-needed supermarket facility that has failed for years to be delivered in this area.
“As it stands we would currently do a round trip of between 40 and 50 miles for such a premises.”
Is everyone happy about the new Macduff Aldi?
The Banff Co-op shop pleaded for Aberdeenshire Council to reject the scheme.
Its North Planning and Development director, Graeme Laing, argued that it would “cause significant harm” to Banff town centre.
And Morrisons appeared to suggest it would rather not have the competition for its planned Banff branch.
Morrisons wanted ‘best decision’
Top brass wanted both applications to be decided at the same meeting, and urged elected members to “make the best decision” in that event.
In an e-mail to councillor Michael Roy, corporate services manager Liz Tattersley highlighted that their store would create more jobs than the Aldi.
The Morrisons plans remain undecided, and it is unknown where the Aldi approval leaves them.
You can see the Macduff Aldi application here.
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