THE BATTLE between two supermarket groups over a new store in Aberdeenshire is far from over.
Aldi has vowed to keep pushing for an outlet in Macduff, despite seeing its plans shot down by Tesco lawyers.
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Tesco – which has a store nearby in Banff, took Aberdeenshire Council to court for approving the plans, with a judge quashing the permission granted.
Now it has emerged that the council opted to retreat from the courtroom battle. This meant that Tesco’s argument was passed without question.
A council spokesman said it had been decided it would not be “commercially viable” to fight the case.
Triumphant Tesco took it as an admission that the authority had acted improperly in sealing the plans.
The UK supermarket group told the Press & Journal it was pleased Aberdeenshire Council “agreed” with its view that the application breached its retail policy and local development plan.
Since the news broke of the setback this week, hundreds of locals have reacted with dismay.
The £3.3million shop would have created 35 jobs, and locals argued it was badly needed during the cost-of-living crisis.
On Monday, Aldi said it was reviewing the decision after being left “extremely disappointed” by the legal blow.
Residents in Macduff and neighbouring Banff have long complained about the lack of supermarkets in the area.
Hundreds of people took part in a public consultation on the Aldi plans in the summer of 2021.
Aldi bosses said they were bowled over by the “unprecedented level of support”, with 708 backing the idea – 98.3% of all respondents.
But the Co-op had urged the local authority to reject the plans. It argued that the new store would “cause significant harm” to local traders, with the Co-op and Tesco in Banff town centre both expected to suffer greatly.
Tesco has also taken measures in the past to object to rival outlets opening elsewhere in the UK. Bosses insist their concerns are always based on “material planning matters” – such as the impact on the environment – rather than concern about their own profits.
However, an Aldi spokesman has now confirmed that the chain still wants to open in Macduff.
He said: “‘We remain fully committed to opening a new store in Macduff and will provide an update on our future plans shortly.”
That could mean a second planning application is submitted, with officials this time making sure the process is watertight.
Local residents are expected to discuss the supermarket situation on Monday. Banff and Macduff Community Council will gather for its regular monthly session at Macduff Sports Centre that evening.
