Plans for a brand new Lidl store in Perth have gone back to the drawing board following feedback from Perth and Kinross Council.
Bosses at the German international discount retailer chain lodged a proposal in July to build the one-storey building on vacant farm land on Crieff Road.
However the plans have been withdrawn for the time being, but Lidl say they remain “committed” to the project and are currently revising plans for the site, located next door to St Johnstone‘s home ground McDiarmid Park.
The application involved the erection of a foodstore with 111 car parking spaces and would be in addition to another Lidl outlet on Riggs Road.
The design statement forwarded in the summer, by Rapleys LLP, with the planning application stated: “The scale of the development is necessary and consistent with Lidl’s latest operational requirement.
“The new development will comprise a contemporary single storey building with a sloping roof.
“Overall, the proposal is sympathetic to its immediate context, with the scale of development being in keeping in terms of its height and scale.”
However following feedback about its initial planning application from PKC, the retailer will adjust its plans for the site and could submit fresh proposals in the new year.
A Lidl spokesperson said: “We remain committed to delivering our high quality and affordable produce to even more households in Perth.
“Following initial feedback from Perth and Kinross Council, we will now take the opportunity to review our plans to ensure they best meet the needs of the community.
“We look forward to working with the local council on the new application and to providing further updates to residents in due course.”
The land was formerly part of Newton Farm which was demolished with the general farm operations discontinued on site.
Several attempts have been made over the years to develop the site to no avail.
The application came one year after Lidl bosses voiced their interest in opening a second store in Perth.
The company published its annual list of key areas across the UK where it is interested in acquiring sites for potential store development, with Perth one of 58 Scottish locations featured.
As part of its ongoing plans, Lidl committed to investing £1.3 billion in its store expansion over 2021 and 2022.
