Plan for new £10.5m care home upsets neighbours

LOCALS have reacted negatively to plans to build a £10.5 million care home near Broughty Ferry, with one saying she “felt sick” when she saw the proposals.

As reported earlier this month, plans have been submitted for the new three-storey building in Stannergate.

The application by care operator Simply UK, prepared by Yeoman McAllister Architects, will develop brownfield land adjacent to Broughty Ferry Road, overlooking the Tay.

The plans include a cafe, lounge, private dining facilities, hairdresser, gym, cinema and games room.

The care firm claims there is “an identified shortfall of this particular type of accommodation in the Broughty Ferry catchment area”.

The design statement says the site “takes advantage of the stunning views to the south over the Firth of Tay”.

But residents in nearby properties were overwhelmingly against the proposals, citing the location and size of the building, and saying their views of the Tay will be spoiled and house values will go down.

Cailean Graham, a student whose parents’ house overlooks the site, said he was surprised at the location chosen.

The 21-year-old accounting student said: “My parents tried to get planning permission for a small cottage in our garden and were rejected so I’m surprised at this.

“I know a big part of this area is a tree preservation area.

“I would be worried it blocks out part of our view here.”

He continued: “It will definitely take down the value of the house because part of the appeal is the location and the view.”

Another homeowner said she and her husband were “heartbroken” by the plans and would be objecting to them.

The retiree, who declined to be named, said: “I’m heartbroken.

“We thought nothing could be built there because there are sewers in the area and it would be dangerous to try and build near them.

“I couldn’t sleep last night for thinking about it.

“The view is so special here.”

She continued: “They only plan to build 26 parking spaces so we’re worried about that too. Where will other cars go when the car park there is filled?”

The new home will see a £10.5m capital investment by the company and will sustain 65 local construction jobs if approved, according to the application statement.

The home itself will create approximately 69 new jobs through direct employment, and a further 11 through “offsite effects”.

It is estimated the home will boost the Dundee economy by £750,000 a year once operational.

Simply UK said it is targeting having more than 1,000 beds across the UK by the end of 2022, with 350 beds coming to the market in 2021 and a further 500 beds during 2022, through its care home and retirement living division, Morar Living.

Council planners will now consider the proposals, with a decision to be made by officers by May 25.