Council working out next move after demolition

DUNDEE City Council is considering what action to take after a historic mill was knocked down without listed building consent, and will announce its decision next month.

Wallace Craigie j ute works, a B-listed building, was demolished on May 12 due to “safety concerns” under a warrant obtained under building standards. However, the process for tearing down listed buildings is different and therefore the proper permissions were not in place.

At a meeting of the local authority’s planning committee, Mike Galloway, executive director of city development, said: “Options for appropriate action are under consideration and a recommendation will be brought forward at the next meeting.”

Craigie Estates Ltd, part of the larger James Keillor Estates, said it was forced to bring the mill down due to safety concerns about its deteriorating state.

Meanwhile, councillors unanimously voted to grant planning permission for a West End former mill to be demolished and turned into a housing development, despite a number of objections.

F&H Developments wants to transform the site of the former Tay Rope Works on Magdalen Yard Road into five three-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom flats with parking, amenity space, a new access and environmental improvements at the site.

Five objections were lodged, citing a “detrimental impact on privacy through overlooking”, “overshadowing” and “increased noise and odours from bin store”.

Other objections focused on a “detrimental impact on parking provision and road safety” and a “detrimental” impact on the surrounding area due to the use of the proposed properties as houses in multiple occupation and the felling of trees.

West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said the council had provided “assurances” that these issues would not materialise.