Planners back bids for 209 new homes to be built – despite residents’ concerns

DUNDEE’S housing stock is set to be boosted by more than 200 properties.

Planning officials have urged councillors to give the go-ahead to four separate developments which would result i n 209 homes being built at three different locations in the city.

That includes plans by Northern Housing Company for 130 new houses at Ellengowan Drive – and the demolition of 128 homes, and the i conic newspaper kiosk, which are currently on the site.

Discovery Homes plans to build 25 new homes at Aberlady Gardens in Whitfield, while Miller Homes has lodged two applications with the city council for a total of 54 properties in Liff – on the site of Benvie House and on land near the former Royal Dundee Liff Hospital.

Councillors on the planning committee will be asked to approve all of the plans at a meeting on Monday.

The Tele previously reported that the newspaper shop on Arbroath Road, which has served several generations of people i n the area, will be relocated as part of the work at the Ellengowan estate.

The development will include a new shop along with 39 homes and 91 flats for mid-market and social rent.

Six members of the public lodged objections to the plans, claiming the new homes would overlook existing properties and result in a loss of privacy and the removal of trees.

Locals also claimed the new homes would lead to too much traffic and said there was a lack of parking spaces in the area.

However, a report by Gregor Hamilton, the council’s head of planning and economic development, said the new properties would be 20 metres away from existing homes – an “acceptable distance” – with a road separating the two.

In addressing residents’ concerns about parking and the impact on local roads, he said: “The design and access statement notes that 100% provision is provided for all flats except Block 1W on the northern boundary of the site which will serve elderly residents and is in close proximity to the bus stops on Arbroath Road.

“It further highlights that there is limited parking available within the existing site and during the consultation process with residents it was confirmed that car ownership is low and many of the existing residents will move back into the development once constructed.”

The Aberlady Crescent plans are the second phase – after 26 homes there were approved in 2015. A total of eight objections have been lodged about the latest plans, with residents claiming that the relocation of an existing footpath and cycleway would impact on safety.

However, Mr Hamilton said following discussions with the developer, a different cycle route will be created as part of the development.

Meanwhile, six objections were received about the 26-home plan at Benvie House on North Road, Liff. Locals said they had concerns about the impact on trees and wildlife, increased traffic, drainage and flood risk, and noise and light pollution – as well as the impact on nearby Liff Hospital.

A further six letters of objection were submitted about the other 28 homes in Liff, with similar fears raised.

However, Mr Hamilton insisted that the existing roads and paths network “can accommodate the proposed development”, and that the housebuilder will provide a financial contribution towards upgrade works at nearby Dykes of Gray Road.

Mr Hamilton said the homes would be “set back” from the hospital and have no adverse effect on the B-listed building.

Gregor Hamilton