Aldi submits plans to open first store in Dumbarton by 2026

Proposals for a new Aldi foodstore in Dumbarton look set to get the green light at this week’s West Dunbartonshire planning meeting.

An application to turn the former Allied Distillers site on the vacant land next to Castle Street, which was previously cleared of all buildings, into a supermarket will be discussed by elected members on Wednesday.

Documents submitted to committee ahead of the meeting state that the land was previously part of a larger site subject to a planning application for the development of seven retail units – including a Lidl foodstore – which was granted back in 2018.

Following the approval of the former application, only one of the approved retail units – Lidl – has been constructed and occupied leaving the other part of the site undeveloped.

If planning permission is granted, it would include 87 car parking spaces, including six disabled bays, two of which would feature electric vehicle (EV) and two standard spaces with EV charges, eight parent and child spaces, and two click and collect spaces.

Five cycle hoops will provide parking for ten bicycles and a footpath between the existing carriageway at the Lidl car park with zebra crossings to allow pedestrian access through the car park and to the main door of the store would also be created.

A report by Alan Douglas Chief Officer, Regulatory and Regeneration, states: “The proposal is welcomed and would provide an effective use of a brownfield site whose development has stalled since the approval of the previous.

“The design of the store unit and the adjacent car park would be of high quality with appropriate level of connectivity to the adjacent street level and the waterfront and its footpath.

“The development would contribute to the mix of retail offerings and vitality of the town centre, without any detrimental effects on local amenity.”