New River Retail say Dumfries and Galloway Council’s decision “unlocks exciting plans” for Cuckoo Bridge.

The owners of a Dumfries retail park are “pleased” that Next has been given the go-ahead to move to the site.

And New River Retail say the decision “unlocks exciting plans” for Cuckoo Bridge.

Earlier this year, they reached a deal with supermarket giant Sainsbury’s open up in the former Homebase unit – a move which is also subject to planning.

Members of the council’s planning applications committee agreed on Wednesday to alter restrictions relating to what “non-bulky goods” can be sold from unit four.

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It was unanimously decided to change the wording of existing limits to allow “the sale of clothing with ancillary footwear, paving the way for Next to open up shop.

Head of capital markets at NewRiver, Charles Spooner, said: “We are pleased that the planning application for change of use has been approved.

“This change in planning use unlocks exciting plans for the park, and brings us closer to creating a new Next store, which is another step forward in the reinvigoration of the park’s retail offer and follows our recent agreement with Sainsbury’s to open a new 33,000 sq ft supermarket in the former Homebase unit.”

A spokeswoman for Next added: “Next are delighted to get planning today. We are grateful for the help from Dumfries and Galloway Council in getting to this stage and look forward to re-opening a brand new store in Dumfries for our customers.”

Next’s attempts to move to Cuckoo Bridge have been going on for nearly two decades.

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The existing restriction was behind planning being rejected in 2007 and 2017.

The clothing firm appealed the latter decision to the Scottish Government but they upheld the council’s verdict. It was then quashed by a court, only for a second appeal to reach a similar resu.t

Next closed its shop in Dumfries’ Loreburn Centre in 2018, later opening a click and collect pod at Cuckoo Bridge.

A report for Wednesday’s meeting claimed Next’s move to Cuckoo Bridge represents a £2 million investment and could create more than 30 jobs.