City Development Committee - 24/01/2011

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th January, 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Will DAWSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 6th December, 2010 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I AMENDMENTS TO THE MODERNISED PLANNING SYSTEM

There was submitted Report No 4-2011 by the Director of City Development seeking to confirm the views of the Council in response to the consultation paper "Amendments to the Modernised Planning System" issued by the Scottish Government in October 2010 and to authorise the Director of City Development to issue the response to the Scottish Government by 28th January, 2011.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Bowes, moved:-

(a) approval of the report as the Council's formal response to the consultation paper, subject to Section G, Q26, paragraph 1, being replaced by "It is suggested that the notification distance for applications other than major applications be reduced from 20 metres (excluding roads) to 10 metres (excluding roads)"; and

(b) that the Director of City Development be authorised to issue the formal response to the Scottish Government by 28th January, 2011.

As an amendment, Councillor Hay, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved that at Section G, Q26, paragraph 1, the following be deleted:-

"The notification distance of 20 metres is excessive. In tenemental areas of the city an application for a dormer can result in up to 150 notifications. It is suggested that the notification distance is reduced to ten metres (excluding roads) for major applications and four metres (excluding roads) for other applications."

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Bailie Sawers, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts and Ross (14); and for the amendment - Lord Provost Letford, Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Regan, Wallace and Scott, and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson and Dick (14) - whereupon the Convener declared his casting vote in favour of the motion, which was then carried.

II HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

There was submitted Report No 1-2011 by the Director of City Development advising that the Scottish Government had published a Consultation Paper on "Householder Permitted Development Rights".

The Committee noted the response set out as Appendix A to the report which had been submitted by the Director of City Development to the Scottish Government on the Consultation Paper in order to meet the necessary timescales.

III FORMER MENZIESHILL MULTIS SITE - DRAFT PLANNING BRIEF

There was submitted Report No 2-2011 by the Director of City Development, seeking approval of a Draft Site Planning Brief to promote the potential for Brownfield redevelopment on the site of the former multi-storey flats in Menzieshill.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) approve the Draft Site Planning Brief for consultation purposes; and

(b) remit the Director of City Development to consult with the local communities and interested parties on the Draft Site Planning Brief and report back on the results of the consultation.

IV FORMER FIRE STATION, STRATHMORE AVENUE - DRAFT SITE PLANNING BRIEF

There was submitted Report No 13-2011 by the Director of City Development, seeking approval of amendments to the Approved Site Planning Brief for the Former Fire Station, Strathmore Avenue, Dundee.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) approve the amendment to the Approved Site Planning Brief; and

(b) refer the amended Site Planning Brief to the Development Management Committee as a material planning consideration.

V CITY CENTRE PLAY EQUIPMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN11-2011, advising that, as part of the ongoing City Centre improvements, an area between the Overgate Shopping Centre and City Churches had been identified for play equipment by the City Development Department.

It was reported that, given the limited timescales available, the Chief Executive and the City Engineer, after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons of the other Groups, had accepted an offer from Dundee Contract Services in the sum of 23,077.86 which, together with allowances of 1,500 for City Engineer's fees, and 422.14 for contingencies, made a total expenditure of 25,000.

Committee noted accordingly.

VI TRAFFIC ORDERS ETC

There was submitted Report No AN6-2011 advising of the undernoted proposed Traffic Orders:-

(a) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (DUNDONALD STREET, DUNDEE) (VARIATION OF WAITING RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2010

Reference was made to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th October, 2010, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to improve sightlines and protect the egress of traffic from Ogilvie Street, and to protect the access and egress of traffic utilising the proposed end-on parking in Dundonald Street whilst also protecting the proposed build-outs separating the parking areas.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and, during the statutory consultation period, no adverse comments had been received.

The Committee therefore authorised formal publication of the order as drafted.

(b) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (WELLINGTON TOWER/JAMAICA TOWER/CARNEGIE TOWER/MAXWELLTOWN TOWER, MAXWELLTOWN, DUNDEE) STOPPING-UP OF ROADS, FOOTPATHS AND FOOTWAYS) ORDER 2010

Reference was made to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th October, 2010, wherein the Committee approved the preparation of an Order to stop-up areas of roads, footpaths and footways at Wellington Tower, Jamaica Tower, Carnegie Tower and Maxwelltown Tower, Dundee.

It was reported that the Order was duly prepared and advertised in the Evening Telegraph and the Edinburgh Gazette, and the relevant statutory undertakers were consulted. No objections had been received.

The Committee therefore authorised and confirmed the Stopping-Up Order, and authorised formal publication of the confirmation, after which the Order would become operative.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No 53-2011 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received in respect of the undernoted projects:-

(a) VARIOUS COUNCIL PROPERTIES - SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE OF SPRINKLER PROTECTION SYSTEMS

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer from J Bryceland Fire Systems Ltd, Dundee in the sum of 38,000, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 3,800, giving a total expenditure of 41,800.

(b) VARIOUS COUNCIL PROPERTIES - INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer from Best Services Ltd, Wishaw, in the sum of 18,720, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 1,872, giving a total expenditure of 20,592.

(c) CAIRD HALL AND CITY SQUARE COMPLEX - SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE DETECTION/ALARM SYSTEM

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Scotshield Ltd, Dundee in the sum of 8,272.50, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 827, giving a total expenditure of 9,099.50.

(d) VARIOUS PROPERTIES - SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF EMERGENCY LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS (AREA 6) - PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated contract with Dundee Contract Services in the sum of 27,865, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 2,786.80, giving a total expenditure of 30,651.50.

(e) CAIRD HALL AND CITY SQUARE COMPLEX - SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Gomer Electrical Engineers, Dundee, in the sum of 35,766.18, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 3,577, giving a total expenditure of 39,343.18.

VIII CENTRAL WATERFRONT, PHASE 2 - VARIATION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

There was submitted Report No 35-2011 by the Director of City Development relative to the requirement to promote various Traffic Regulation Orders to facilitate the second phase of the Central Waterfront Development.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) approve the preparation of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order to effect changes to the traffic regulations in a section of South Victoria Dock Road between South Marketgait (current road layout) and West Victoria Dock Road to its junction with South Marketgait (new westbound road layout) one-way in a south easterly/easterly direction;

(b) approve the preparation of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit the right hand turn for eastbound traffic on Dock Street into Commercial Street; and

(c) approve the preparation of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order to effect changes of the traffic regulations in streets surrounding the Blackscroft/Seagate area of Dundee, in order to accommodate a pedestrian crossing to allow pedestrians from the City Centre to maintain a thoroughfare to Gallagher Retail Park while the area of ground to East Whale Lane was closed for redevelopment.

IX RAF LEUCHARS - THREAT OF CLOSURE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN12-2011, advising that there had been recent speculation that, following the Strategic Defence Review, the RAF base at Leuchars might be vulnerable to closure, and Fife Council was working with the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise to make the case for the retention of the base.

The Committee agreed to support efforts by Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government to retain the Leuchars base and agreed that the Leader of the Administration, Group Leaders, Lord Provost and Depute Lord Provost write to Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence, expressing the Council's concern at the prospect of the closure of RAF Leuchars.

It was reported that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted item of business be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

X TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ORDERS FOR EASTERN PRIMARY SCHOOL RELOCATION TO FORMER GROVE ACADEMY BUILDINGS IN CAMPERDOWN STREET, BROUGHTY FERRY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN3-2011, making reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 22nd November, 2010 wherein it was agreed that Eastern Primary School be relocated to the former Grove Academy buildings in Camperdown Street, Broughty Ferry from the start of the 2011/2012 academic session.

It was reported that at the 20th January, 2011 meeting of the Project Board - Eastern Primary School, transportation issues were discussed and having considered investigations from the Head of Transportation, a range of traffic management measures to maximise the safety of all pupils and site users of the Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School campus were proposed.

In order to implement the traffic management improvements, the undernoted traffic orders required to be prepared:-

(a) One-Way Traffic Order for Seafield Road (north bound);

(b) Stopping-Up Order for western section of Camperdown Street that had become unnecessary, to allow for conversion of on-street parking to school car parking facilities; and

(c) Variation of Parking Restrictions for:-

(i) Church Street, to establish limited waiting for pick-up/drop-off for parents; and

(ii) Seafield Road, to improve traffic management in the vicinity of the intersection with Davidson Street.

The Committee agreed to approve the preparation of the above Orders for consultation and advertisement, having noted that it would be updated as the process progressed.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XI SALE OF PROPERTY AT 13 SPRINGHILL, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 29-2011 by the Director of City Development, advising of offers received in respect of the sale of a vacant property at 13 Springhill, Dundee.

The Committee agreed to accept the highest offer as detailed in the report.

XII SALE OF LAND AT 321/323 STRATHMARTINE ROAD, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 11-2011 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for the sale of ground at the above address for the purpose of garden ground.

The Committee approved the sale on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XIII SALE OF LAND AT 29 GANNOCHIE TERRACE

There was submitted Report No 10-2011 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for the sale of ground at the above address for the purpose of garden ground.

The Committee approved the sale on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XIV SALE OF LAND AT ABERLADY CRESCENT

There was submitted Report No 7-2011, detailing offers received in respect of the sale of the above site.

The Committee approved the sale on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

Will DAWSON, Convener.