Plans for a substantial mixed-use development, including a new Lidl supermarket, a restaurant, and an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub, have received a recommendation for approval by planning officials. The project aims to regenerate a prominent disused industrial site at Aberdeen’s northern gateway.
The proposal, a joint venture between West Coast Estates and Lidl Great Britain, seeks to redevelop the former Baker Hughes site on Woodside Road in Bridge of Don. This 1.85-hectare brownfield parcel is strategically located near the A92 junction with Ellon Road and The Parkway. The site, which was cleared between 2023 and 2025 following the demolition of its former industrial buildings, has been vacant for a considerable period.
The £10 million development encompasses a 1,990 square metre Lidl supermarket, featuring 125 parking spaces. Accompanying the retail anchor will be a 16-bay ultra-rapid EV charging hub, to be operated by Fastned, and a 261 square metre café or restaurant. The new Lidl store is intended to replace the retailer’s existing King Street premises, offering an enhanced shopping experience in Bridge of Don.
Planning documents highlight the identified demand for mid-sized supermarkets, particularly discount retailers, within the Bridge of Don area, where retail options are currently limited. The development is projected to create between 80 and 90 jobs, equivalent to 55 to 70 full-time positions. Lidl has indicated it will encourage staff from its King Street store to apply for roles at the new facility, ensuring job continuity where possible.
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Public engagement with the application has been overwhelmingly positive, with 59 out of 60 valid representations expressing support for the scheme. Supporters have cited the regeneration of a brownfield site, the injection of inward investment, the creation and safeguarding of jobs, improved access to affordable shopping, and the introduction of modern EV charging infrastructure as key benefits.
While acknowledging the overall merits of the development, the Bridge of Don Community Council raised concerns regarding potential traffic movements and their impact on the local road network. However, an assessment by Aberdeen City Council’s roads team concluded that the proposed development would not have an unacceptable impact on the road infrastructure, negating the need for off-site traffic mitigation. The developer has also committed to providing a new signal-controlled pedestrian crossing over the A92 and upgrading existing bus stops on Woodside Road.
Despite the site’s designation for business and industrial use, planners determined that its prolonged vacancy, unsuccessful marketing efforts for industrial purposes, and the wider supply of employment land in Aberdeen justified the proposed redevelopment. The application is scheduled to be reviewed by Aberdeen City Council’s Planning Development Management Committee on August 20, with a recommendation for approval subject to various conditions.
