City Development Committee - 27/08/2001

At a MEETING of the PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th August, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor PRESSWOOD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th June, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PROPOSED NEW STREET NAMES

The Committee approved the following new street names:-

Lower Princes Street

David Robertson Street

St Martin Avenue

St Martin Drive

Gauldie Road

Gauldie Crescent

Gauldie Court

Gauldie Terrace

Thoms Close

Fairlie Terrace.

II APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION CONSENT - NEW ROADS

The Committee approved the undernoted applications for Construction Consent, subject to conditions, which had been agreed with the Contractors.

Furthermore, it was also agreed that on satisfactory completion of these roads, and if requested by the applicants, they be entered on the list of Public Roads for the purposes of management and maintenance in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

III SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP (SIP'S) GEOGRAPHIC EVALUATION

There was submitted Report No 262-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation providing a brief background and summary to the work on the Scottish Executive required evaluations of the Dundee Geographic Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) 1 and 2, the Dundee Thematic SIPs 3 and 4 which were only recently implemented in 1999 and are not yet due for Mid-term or Final evaluation and bringing to the Committee's attention the receipt of the SIP 1 Mid-term and SIP 2 End-term evaluations.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) note the reports for the SIP 1 Mid-term and SIP 2 End-term evaluations; and

(b)that the Director of Planning and Transportation be remitted to report back to Committee on the implications of the Evaluation Report and any actions required by January 2002.

IV SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CENTRAL RESEARCH UNIT REPORT "RETHINKING OPEN SPACE, OPEN SPACE PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT: A WAY

There was submitted Report No 325-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation and Director of Leisure and Parks highlighting to the Committee the main findings and recommendations of the new Research Report by the Scottish Executive concerning open space.

The Committee remitted the Directors of Planning and Transportation and Leisure and Parks to define new standards for the provision of open space throughout the City and report back to both Committees in October 2001.

V CITY CENTRE AND ALBERT STREET/HILLTOWN FACADE ENHANCEMENT GRANT SCHEMES

There was submitted Report No 328-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation bringing to the Committee's attention requests for grant assistance under the Facade Enhancement Grant Scheme in Albert Street/Hilltown and the City Centre, and also the promotion of public art gateways.

The Committee agreed to the following grants:-

VI SITE OF FORMER LOGIE CENTRAL SCHOOL: SITE PLANNING BRIEF

There was submitted Report No 414-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation proposing a site planning brief for the site of the former Logie Central School.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) approve the site planning brief as a consultative draft;

(b)remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to consult with the West End Community Council and Logie Residents Association on the terms and content of the brief; and

(c)remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to consider the results of the consultation exercise and amend the brief accordingly and to report back to Committee on the result if significant amendments are proposed.

VII MAYFIELD HOSTEL DRAFT SITE PLANNING BRIEF - CONSULTATION PROCESS

There was submitted Report No 457-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation appraising the Committee of the substance of comments made as a result of the consultation carried out relative to the Draft Mayfield Hostel Site Planning Brief.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) note the comments made by consultees;

(b) note the suggested modifications to the Draft Brief;

(c)remit to the Director of Planning and Transportation to prepare and have available for distribution copies of the finalised Mayfield Site Planning Brief;

(d)commend the Mayfield Site Planning Brief to the Development Quality Committee as a material consideration for development control purposes; and

(e)to recommend the Mayfield Site Planning Brief for inclusion as related material in the Dundee Local Plan Review.

VIII DUNDEE AND ANGUS JOINT STRUCTURE PLAN PANEL MEETING - 23RD MAY, 2001

There was submitted Report No 460-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the items which were discussed at the last meeting of the Dundee and Angus Joint Structure Plan Panel that took place on 23rd May, 2001 and indicating the proposed future priorities.

The Committee agreed to note and endorse the comments made by the Panel.

IX WESTPORT - SITE PLANNING BRIEF

There was submitted Report No 461-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval of the draft site planning brief as the basis of consultation with adjacent site owners and interested parties.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) approve the draft site planning brief for the purposes of consultation;

(b)remit to the Director of Planning and Transportation to consult with the other owners and interested parties on the terms and content of the draft site planning brief; and

(c)remit to the Director of Planning and Transportation to report back on the results of the consultation exercise within a period of two months.

X NEW BUILD HOUSING IN DUNDEE - INTERIM REVIEW OF POLICY H10 GUIDELINES

There was submitted Report No 462-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking the Committee's approval for an interim revision to the Design Guidelines in Residential Areas, contained in the Dundee Local Plan 1998 (the H10 Guidelines) which precedes a full review of the Guidelines as part of the Dundee Local Plan Review process which is now underway.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a)approve the proposed changes to the H10 Guidelines as an interim measure pending the advancement of the review of the Dundee Local Plan 1998;

(b)has regard to the contents of this Report as a material consideration in the determination of future planning applications;

(c)note that the H10 Guidelines will be subject to further scrutiny as part of the Local Plan Review process; and

(d)remit that the contents of the Report, and specifically recommendation 2, be referred to the Development Quality Committee at its meeting on 24th September, 2001.

XI DTZ - PIEDA RETAIL STUDY - IMPLEMENTATION

There was submitted Report No 463-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation highlighting the key action points emerging from the City of Dundee Retail Review 2000 undertaken by DTZ Pieda, which sets out the next steps towards implementation of the action points; and to contribute towards the review of the Development Plan framework.

The Committee agreed to the implementation measures outlined in the Report; remitted to the Director of Planning and Transportation to report back to Committee on progress in twelve months time; and to refer the report to the September 2001 Development Quality Committee for its information.

XII THE PERTH AND KINROSS STRUCTURE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 471-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the publication of a Draft Perth and Kinross Structure Plan and advising on any implications it may contain for this Authority.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) note the publication of the Draft Perth and Kinross Structure Plan; and

(b)remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to liaise with the Director of Planning, Perth and Kinross Council to formally provide this Authority's comments on the Consultation Draft Plan by 28th September, 2001.

XIII STREET LIGHTING AND OTHER UNMETERED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY

There was submitted Report No 499-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation setting out the current situation in relation to the procurement of unmetered electricity for Street Lighting for the City Council and presenting an outline proposal for the purchase of electricity under contract as part of a consortium of councils to ensure best valued is maintained.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a)this Council becoming a member of the purchasing consortium to obtain maximum discount available in the supply of electricity;

(b)Highland Council acting as lead authority for the tendering process;

(c)instruct the Director of Planning and Transportation to enter into a contract for the supply of electricity subject to competitive terms being obtained; and

(d)review and allocate appropriate financial funds to cover the costs of the introduction of the Climate Change and Fossil Fuel levies.

XIV SCOTTISH SOCIETY DIRECTORS OF PLANNING

It was reported that Keith Winter has been re-elected to the Executive of the Society for a further two-year period. Keith had also been asked to Chair the Development Planning/Policy Sub Committee of the Society for a two year period. This time commitment will comprise no more than eight days in a calendar year and it was recommended that Keith Winter be authorised to take up these roles.

The Committee agreed to Keith Winter taking up the above roles.

XV DRAFT DUNDEE URBAN DESIGN STRATEGY - CONSULTATION PROCESS

Reference was made to the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 28th January, 2001 when the Committee agreed to:-

(a) endorse the Draft Urban Design Guidelines;

(b)remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to consult with relevant Council Departments, the Community Councils, amenity societies and developers on the draft Guidelines and report back to Committee in August 2001; and

(c)commend the Urban Design Guidelines to the Development Quality Committee as a material consideration for development control purposes.

Some 66 invitations to comment on the Draft Urban Design Guide were issued. However, the number of responses was disappointing.

The tenor of the responses was, in the main highly supportive. All respondents welcomed the production of the urban Design Guidelines and approved the succinctness of the document. All welcomed the emphasis on good design, although it is clear certain groups had a different perception of good design and what it could and should achieve. Many also commended the direction in which Dundee has moved in this respect over the last number of years. A number felt certain policies could be clarified and that diagrams might be clearer.

It is proposed that the Draft Urban Design Strategy be revised to take account of these points and be resubmitted to Committee in October 2001.

The Committee agreed that the Draft Urban Design Strategy be revised and resubmitted in October 2001.

XVI EXCAMBION OF PROPERTY - 6 FORFAR ROAD/13 AND 19 VICTORIA ROAD, DUNDEE

Reference was made to Article XIII of the Minute of Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 22nd January, 2001, and also to Article XII of the Minute of Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 26th February, 2001. These reports approved an excambion of properties between Dundee City Council (6 Forfar Road) and Taybank Properties (13 & 19 Victoria Street) for the purpose of assembling all properties at 5-21 Victoria Street and 2-22 Albert Street for demolition and redevelopment (by others).

A condition of the legal missives concluded between the Council and Taybank Properties Limited was that entry and vacant possession would be given. At settlement, Taybank Properties Limited did not fulfil this condition as two properties at Victoria Street were occupied by tenants of Taypark Properties Limited. Additional time was allowed by the Council for Taybank Properties Ltd to resolve this breach of contract. This was not done and advice from legal counsel was sought. The conclusion was Dundee City Council should resile from the bargain, which was formally done on Wednesday, 11th July, 2001.

A report will be brought forward at a later date regarding the assembly of all properties at this site.

The Committee noted the current position.

XVII CONFIRMATION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDER NO 1/2001 - NCR, KINGSWAY WEST

It was reported that the Council had served a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site. The order sought to protect 72 trees on the west, south and eastern boundaries of this factory site. Given the significant arboreal amenity that these trees provide, to an otherwise industrial area, and an Ambassadorial Route around the City, it was thought that the trees merited protection.

The Committee agreed to confirm the Tree Preservation Order at NCR, Kingsway West.

XVIII PLANNING APPLICATION 01/25072/D: PROMOTION OF COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER

Reference was made to Article VIII of the Minute of Meeting of the Development Quality Committee of 27th August, 2001 which approved the above planning application. To progress this application the Committee were asked to consider the promotion of a Compulsory Purchase Order the costs of which would be met by the developer who would also enter into a "back to back" agreement to acquire the affected properties from the Council.

The Committee agreed to the promotion of a Compulsory Purchase Order for the area at East Dock Street covered by the planning application, noted that the applicants would underwrite the full costs of the Council in promoting the Order and would enter into a "back to back" agreement to acquire the affected properties from the Council.

XIX REVIEW OF SCOTLAND'S CITIES

It was reported that earlier this year the First Minister announced a major review of Scotland's cities and that the Director of Planning and Transportation had been invited by Angus Mackay, the Minister responsible for leading the review, to be a member of an expert Sounding Board to help shape the Scottish Executive's thinking about the future of cities. The Board will meet at least three times before the end of this year.

The Committee noted the appointment.

XX TENDER RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER - CITY CENTRE SIGNAGE (HARDWORKS)

There was submitted Report No 548-2001 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereof.

(i) CITY CENTRE SIGNAGE - HARDWORKS

The Committee agreed acceptance of the offer which was received from D A Kennedy Ltd for City Centre Signage - Hardworks for the sum of 97,071.87 together with allowances of 8,928.13 giving a total of 106,000.00.

XXI NETHERGATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

There was submitted Report No 389-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation informing the Committee regarding the pre-purchase of materials for environmental improvement works at Littlewoods frontage and High Street entry and that the quotations from

(i) A D Sutherland, Caithness of 41,027.50;

(ii) Fyfe Glenrock, Aberdeenshire of 16,959.37; and

(iii) Jones of Oswestry, Shropshire of 13,978.10

had been accepted and that the overall expenditure of 71,964.97 had been authorised by the Director of Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Convener of Planning and Transportation, the Spokesperson for the Major Opposition Group and the Spokesperson for the Minor Opposition Group.

The Committee noted the authorised expenditure.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 51(3)(B) due to the timescales involved.

XXII PUBLIC TRANSPORT FUND BIDS

It was reported that the Scottish Executive had announced that the Public Transport Fund (PTF) will continue to operate, with additional resources being made available. 150 million has been allocated over the next three years, targeted at value for money enhancements to public transport networks.

Two bids will be made by Dundee City Council to the PTF this year with a joint value of 2.37 million. One is a bid to the new Preparation Pool in conjunction with the neighbouring authorities of Angus, Perth & Kinross and Fife, and with Railtrack, Scotrail and Scottish Enterprise Tayside for a major Tay Estuary Rail Study.

The second bid is with the support of transport operators, neighbouring councils and Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust. It is an essential element of the Councils Bringing Confidence into Public Transport package that aims to promote public transport use through a number of related initiatives.

There are two key components to this bid:

         New, high quality on-street interchanges within the City Centre and at Ninewells Hospital;

         A comprehensive step change in transport information using mapping, flash mapping, interactive units, printed material, display screens and links to real time information.

The Committee noted the position on the bids.

ROBIN PRESSWOOD, Convener.