‘No permission’ granted for mill to be torn down

THE leader of Dundee City Council has confirmed Wallace Craigie jute works was torn down without full permission in place.

Confusion arose after the historic j ute mill, also known as Halley’s Mill, was torn down, with the council launching an investigation.

Posting on Twitter, SNP councillor John Alexander said that “while there was a warrant obtained under building standards, the process for a listed building is different and as such no permission was obtained” to tear down the B-listed building.

He said later: “After consultation with senior officers, I’m advised that the relevant listed building permissions were not in place.

“I await further information on discussions between the developer, Historic Environment Scotland and Dundee City Council and the investigation that has been undertaken as a result of the demolition.”

The council approved a building warrant for the demolition of the former jute works last month after it had lain derelict for decades.

Planning permission was granted to convert it into flats as part of a wider development in 2014.

The development did not go ahead and the B-listed mill was condemned by council building standards officers.

The site owners applied for a building warrant to demolish the structure in its entirety last December.

Derek Tyson, project manager for James Keiller Estates, said the work was done on safety grounds.

He defended that stance when Mr Alexander’s statement was put to him.

“We had a demolition warrant on safety grounds of public safety,” he said.

“We are happy to cooperate with any ongoing investigation and share any further information.”