COUNCIL bosses have come under fire for refusing to back a planning decision in a supermarket row.

 

As the Evening Times reported in April, the Co-operative is challenging a decision to allow Aldi to build a store in Drumchapel, which was due to create up to 40 jobs.

Bargain chain Aldi was given permission by the council last December to construct a 17,000 sq ft shop in Duntreath Avenue.

However, Co-operative Estates, owner of Drumchapel Shopping Centre, said it was in "active" negotiations with Lidl to open a branch within the shopping hub.

The Co-op is taking legal action against the council over the planning committee decision.

It has now emerged that Glasgow City Council will not be defending the planning decision made.

A council spokesman said: "The planning officer had recommended the refusal of planning permission, due to the site being outwith Drumchapel town centre and so contrary to the development plan.

"However the planning applications committee, as an independent body, made the decision to grant consent.

"As the council will not be defending the Petition, the application will therefore be made live again and will be reconsidered by the planning applications committee in due course."

Community leaders hit out at the move.

Anniesland MSP Bill Kidd said: "This sort of attitude being displayed by the Co-operative and the city council can potentially block competition and severely disadvantages my constituents.

Mr Kidd said he welcomed the proposal to have an Aldi in Drumchapel "

He added: "My constituents are being let down by the council and its bureaucracy yet again; they will not forget that this is the case."

Councillor Malcolm Balfour said the decision means the whole process was likely to go "right back to the start".

He added: "A consequence of that means a long delay in the opening of a much needed low cost supermarket in an area of social deprivation.

"It also results in the delay of the creation of 30 to 40 much needed jobs in an area of high unemployment.

"I remain committed to the introduction of a low cost retail unit in Drumchapel and would encourage both the city council and Aldi to work together to achieve this."

Glasgow North West MP Carol Monaghan added that Aldi would bring "much needed jobs to the area".

A spokesman for The Co-operative Estates said they had not received any formal confirmation that that council was withdrawing from the Judicial Review process.

He added: "Accordingly, we will continue our preparation for the Court hearing, which is currently scheduled for 25-26th June."