At tonight's meeting of the City Council's Development Quality Committee, I successfully moved refusal of the planning application by Duncarse Limited for 11 flats and 4 houses on the Tay Rope Works site. Apart for 46 objectors (and 24 letters of support) some 121 residents signed a petition against the proposal.
My grounds for refusal were:
Reason 1
The proposed development is contrary to Policy 61 of the Dundee Local Plan review 2005 in that the proposals neither preserve or enhance the character of the surrounding area in terms of design principles and use of materials. The proposal also fails to complement existing buildings in terms of height, mass, and colour. There are no material considerations which justify the grant of planning permission contrary to the terms of this policy .
Reason 2
The proposed development will have a detrimental effect on existing traffic and pedestrian flows.
Reason 3
The proposed development is contrary to Policy 4 of the Dundee Local Plan Review 2005 in that the proposals fail to meet the terms of the policy in respect of the proportion of flats proposed as opposed to houses and that the proposal represents town cramming which is neither necessary or desirable. There are no material considerations which justify the grant of planning permission contrary to the terms of this policy.
Reason 4
It is considered that the development will lead to an unacceptable degree of overshadowing particularly in respect of the northmost block.
Reason 5
The proposed development is contrary to Policy 6 of the Dundee Local Plan Review 2005 in that the proposal fails to incorporate open space as required by this policy. There are no material considerations which justify the grant of planning permission contrary to the terms of this policy.
With the support of Bailie Neil Powrie who seconded the motion, pleased to say it was won 11-9.
The next application was for the listed building consent (LBC) in relation to this (51 Magdalen Yard Road) - I moved refusal on the following grounds :
The proposed development is contrary to Policy 60 of the Dundee Local Plan Review 2005 in that the proposal fails to have regard to the preservation or enhancement of the architectural or historic character of the area. There are no material considerations which justify the grant of planning permission contrary to the terms of this policy.
So having just won the vote 11-9, I lost the LBC vote 11-9. I am honestly at a loss as to why any councillor would change his/her vote between the two, but, hey, that's apparently democracy.
The main application was, nonetheless, refused and this will be welcomed by many local residents. We have the highly able and articulate deputations' contributions from West End Community Council and local residents to thank for that.
I have just e-mailed the Development Quality section asking for clarification of the effect of a full application being refused but the LBC being granted.