Council could block Dundee housing plans.

DEVELOPMENT: People given chance to have their say after area found to cross into Perthshire

Invergowrie residents worried about the effects of a new roundabout on traffic in the town have been given a new opportunity to make their views known.

Dundee City Council had already approved plans to add traffic lights and increase the number of lanes to the A90 Swallow roundabout in a bid to ease congestion created by 1,300 new homes on the western edge of the city.

But the last-minute discovery that part of the site is actually in Perthshire means that builders Springfield Properties have had to submit a new planning application to Perth and Kinross Council, delaying the work.

Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey said local people were concerned that the bigger roundabout would increase the number of drivers using the town as a “rat run” as motorists looked to dodge the enlarged junction.

He said: “I called for Invergowrie residents to be consulted and it’s great to see that now in process.

“This is already a very busy roundabout and people have told me that they’re nervous that changes could increase rat-running through the town at busy times.”

Mr Bailey, who first highlighted that a quarter of the roundabout was located within Perthshire said the builders had now committed to before-and-after traffic surveys in Invergowrie.

He said the builders would pay for traffic mitigations if residents’ rat-run concerns were substantiated.

“I’m keen to hear what residents of Invergowrie think about the plans but residents should also put their feelings on paper through the formal planning process too,” he added.

Lochee SNP councillor Alan Ross said the roundabout upgrades would not have been approved by Dundee City Council initially were they not necessary for the new development.

He said: “It could potentially cause a hold up. Obviously with the development of the Western Gateway it is something that is going to be needed – we wouldn’t be suggesting making these changes if it wasn’t appropriate.

“Of course, people have a right to be heard and express concerns but it could cause a delay,” he added.

A Springfield Properties spokesperson said the company submitted a masterplan to Dundee City Council in 2016 with a longer-term vision to build a new village, Dykes of Gray, to the west of Dundee.

“This masterplan incorporated plans to ease congestion and improve the Swallow roundabout,” she said.

“As part of the programme to deliver this masterplan, we have submitted our plans for the Swallow roundabout improvements to Perth and Kinross Council.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “The application is currently under consideration and the relevant stakeholders are being consulted.”

This is already a very busy roundabout and people have told me that they’re nervous that changes could increase ratrunning through the town at busy times

The plan to extend the Swallow roundabout was found to go into Perthshire, necessitating a further planning application and giving locals another chance to express concerns.