A supermarket chain has said it is “committed” to expanding its business in Aberdeenshire’s biggest town.
Asda won planning permission to expand its premises in Peterhead, on Longside Road back in 2003.
But the retail giant faces losing out on the scheme if it cannot convince Aberdeenshire Council planners to allow them to put the start date for work pushed back by three years.
Asda has failed to start any work on the planned expansion, which would demolish the current shop to create a new one, in the 13 years since the plan were first approved.
Without agreement from the local authority, planning permission on the site will expire this coming June.
Glasgow architects Jigsaw Planning, acting as agents for Asda, has now submitted an appeal to the council to apply for more time.
“Our client is committed to delivering development at Peterhead,” Katherine Sneeden, founder of the firm, said.
In her report to planners outlining the retailer’s bid, she added that the application to extend the timeframe for work beginning would allow Asda to carry out a review of the site and determine the “appropriate solution” for the town.
Ms Sneeden said: “In light of the recent economic climate and changes within the convenience retail market, and given Asda Stores Ltd long-term commitment to delivering qualitative and quantitative improvement to its Peterhead store, this time period is considered reasonable.
“The proposed three year time extension is reasonable in the current climate and is consistent with the proposed renewal of the full planning permission for demolition and rebuild.”
Asda’s proposal for more time comes just months after rival retailer Aldi allowed planning permission to expire on their proposed supermarket in the King Street area of the port.
A spokesman for Aldi said its application was merely an “insurance policy” for a second, more ambitious proposal for the land.
In August this year the German firm submitted proposals to build two retail outlets on the land which was formerly occupied by the town’s textile mill.