Latest development given the green light by council

Dundee City Council planning chiefs have formally approved the latest waterfront development — despite the project going against planning policy.

The mixed use scheme at Yeaman Shore is made up of a working space called Studio Dundee, build-to-rent apartments, urban offices and a retail space.

Planning bosses have conceded that the new project does not meet council guidelines which stipulate how new housing developments should be designed.

The policy advises that all new-build flats should have a minimum of two bedrooms, be at least 60sqm in size and have provision for parking.

Nearly two-thirds of the Yeaman Shore development’s flats are less than the recommended size and some of the flats are one bedroom.

And while the new development will replace the existing Yeaman Shore car park, it will not include any replacement parking spaces.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has also voiced concerns about the development’s vulnerability to potential flood damage.

However planning officials behind the decision to approve the development say there are “material considerations” that justify waving it through in spite of breaches of planning policy.

Case officer Beverly Knox said the concept for the accommodation was that residents would be “living in the building, and sleeping in (their) flat”.

She added: “The waterfront development and the V&A at Dundee provide an important centre of design for Scotland in a building of international design significance.”