The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Plans for new homes move forward.
Councillors approve proposals despite residents’ fears over privacy
Plans to create 130 new homes on Ellengowan Drive have been approved by councillors in Dundee – despite nearby residents’ fears the development will provide a bird’s eye view of their bedrooms.
Hillcrest Association wants to demolish 128 cottage flats and create 39 houses and 91 flats on the site.
But Thornbank Court resident Margaret Lynn told Dundee City Council’s planning committee that she believes the design of one block will mean a loss of privacy for her and her neighbours.
She said: “Four houses directly opposite us have second floor living areas with a balcony. It means these residents will have direct view into our bedrooms and into our gardens.
“It causes me concern about privacy and security.
“I appreciate this is a development that needs to be carried out but if there is no way of repositioning the block it can maybe be turned 180 degrees so it is bedroom facing bedroom.”
Architect Ewan Imrie said planning guidelines state properties must be at least 18 metres apart and plans for the proposed new block have been changed so it is 20 metres from homes on Thornbank Court.
He added the flats overlooking Ms Lynn and her neighbours will no longer be given balconies.
Responding to objections about a lack of parking in the new development, he said there would be 124 car parking spaces, nearly 100 more than the 29 that currently exist.
Labour Maryfield councillor Margaret Richardson lodged a motion for the planning committee to reject the application but found no seconder and the plan was therefore approved by councillors.
However, the Scottish Government must also give the green light before the project can proceed after the Health and Safety Executive also lodged an objection because of its proximity to industrial sites at Dundee docks.
A spokesman for the HSE said: “HSE has advised against the granting of planning permission for this development because it proposes to site a large number of dwellings within the inner zone of the Nynas site.”
Head of planning Gregor Hamilton said there will be fewer homes as close to Nynas as there are currently in Ellengowan Drive.
Councillors also approved plans for the erection of advertising signs at Barnetts car showroom on Riverside Drive, despite opposition from West End councillors who are concerned about light pollution from the illuminated signs.
West End Liberal Democrat councillor Fraser Macpherson submitted an amendment to reject the application but the plans were approved by 15 votes to nine. smorkis@thecourier.co.uk
“ Four houses directly opposite us have second floor living areas with a balcony. It means these residents will have direct view into our bedrooms and into our gardens. MARGARET LYNN