City Development Committee - 27/05/2002

At a MEETING of the PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th May 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor PRESSWOOD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th April 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CITY CENTRE FACADES ENHANCEMENT GRANT SCHEME AND FACADE ENHANCEMENT GRANT SCHEMES IN ALBERT STREETAND HILLTOWN - ANNUAL UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2002-2003

There was submitted Report No. 246-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee on the progress being made to date on implementing the Facade Enhancement Grant Schemes, in the City Centre, Albert Street and Hilltown.

The Committee agreed:-

(a) to note the progress being made within the three Facade Enhancement Grant Scheme areas;

(b) to target the following streets in the City Centre:

i Reform Street

ii Union Street

iii South Tay Street

iv Westport

v Nethergate (between Nethergate Centre and West Marketgait)

(c) that in order to focus the available budget for financial year 2002/2003, the following streets be removed from the targeted area:

i Castle Street

ii Commercial Street

iii Cowgate

iv Exchange Street

v High Street

vi Seagate

(d) to authorise the Director of Planning and Transportation to offer additional grant if during construction works to an approved shopfront additional and unforeseen works are revealed. This scheme of delegation will be restricted to 20% top-up of the Committee approved grant, subject to the availability of resources.

(e) that the level of grant support in Hilltown and Albert Street to awarded on the basis of the financial profile of the applicant. 90% for single traders and 75% for others (property companies, company chains, housing associations, etc).

(f) that the following areas of Albert Street and Hilltown be targeted for financial year 2002-2003:

i 101-223, 100-170 Albert Street

ii 116-204 Hilltown

iii 22-36 Strathmartine Road

iv 1-27 Mains Road

II FACADE ENHANCEMENT GRANT SCHEME IN ALBERT STREET

There was submitted Report No. 247-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the continuing uptake of facade enhancement grants within Albert Street.

The Committee approved the undernoted grants:-

III COMMUNITY REGENERATION ENVIRONMENTAL BUDGET

There was submitted Report No. 299-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for the allocation of the Community Regeneration Budget and other associated budgets for 2002-03, and advising the Committee of the projects to be undertaken as part of the continuing programme of community facility provision in Ardler.

The Committee agreed to approve the programme for 2002-03 as set out in the Appendix to the report.

IV AMBASSADOR ROUTES STRATEGY 2002-03 BUDGET

There was submitted Report No. 311-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for the allocation of the Ambassador Routes Strategy Budget for 2002/2003.

The Committee agreed to allocate 100,000 towards Claverhouse Route Section 1 (Forfar Road).

V CITY CENTRE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2002-03

There was submitted Report No. 312-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for the allocation of the Central Area and Other Projects budget for 2002/2003.

The Committee approved the net allocation of 150,000 towards North Commercial Street and the Murraygate junction, as the Council's contribution to the Environmental Programme for 2002/2003.

VI PROVISION FOR CYCLISTS IN OLD GLAMIS ROAD

There was submitted Report No. 306-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking consideration of the provision of cycling facilities in the Old Glamis Road area.

The Committee approved the preparation of the necessary Order to allow cyclists to use a section of the footway in Old Glamis Road.

VII MENZIESHILL RESIDENTS' PARKING SCHEME

There was submitted Report No. 314-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation updating the Committee on the results of an informal consultation exercise in Menzieshill on the proposed Residents' Parking Scheme.

The Committee approved the formal drafting of the Order which would lead to the formal consultation and advertising of the Order.

VIII STATUTORY UNDERTAKERS' PERFORMANCE IN DUNDEE 2001/2002

There was submitted Report No. 319-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation providing an annual report on the performance of Statutory Undertakers operating in Dundee in 2001/02 based on the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) and updating the Committee on the progress of the next National Coring Programme of Statutory Undertakers' reinstatements and the recent Scottish Executive's consultation document on reducing disruption from Statutory Undertakers' road works.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) note the performance of Statutory Undertakers in Dundee, based on NRSWA sample inspection regime (mainly visual), for the year April 2001 to March 2002;

(b) note the performance of Statutory Undertakers in Dundee, based on the Dundee Coring Programme for the year April 2001 to March 2002;

(c) note the progress of British Telecom, Scottish & Southern Energy, Scottish Water, Telewest and Transco since the issue of Improvement Notices on 26 June 2001;

(d) note the progress of the next National (Scottish) Coring Programme of Statutory Undertakers' reinstatements;

(e) note the response of Dundee City Council to the Scottish Executive consultation document on proposals to reduce disruption from Statutory Undertakers' road works.

IX ROAD SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT

There was submitted Report No. 193-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the progress made in reducing road accident casualties in Dundee, and seeking Committee approval to set challenging new road casualty reduction targets.

The Committee noted the excellent progress made in reducing road accident casualties, extending their congratulations to the members of staff involved, and approved the need to set targets to further reduce the number of road casualties in Dundee.

In addition, the Convener advised that an additional 100,000 had been allocated from the capital programme for accident prevention measures.

X DESIGNATION OF UNIVERSITY, WEST END LANES, WEST END SUBURBS AND BAXTER PARK CONSERVATION AREAS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN85-2002, which made reference to the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd January 2001, wherein the Committee approved the cancellation of the eight previous West End Conservation Areas, the designation of the three redefined West End Conservation Areas (West End Lanes, West End Suburbs and University Conservation Areas), and the designation of the new Baxter Park Conservation Area, as revised following public consultation following the original Committee approval in November 1998.

It was reported that application had been made to the Scottish Executive Development Department for Article 4 Directions for each area, as also approved by Committee and the Scottish Executive duly approved the Article 4 Directions for all four Conservation Areas on 31st January, 2002. The Conservation Areas were formally designated and the previous areas cancelled by advertisement on 12th February, 2002.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XI CONFIRMATION OF THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (UNION STREET) COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER 2000

There was submitted Agenda Note AN86-2002 advising the Committee that the above Compulsory Purchase Order had been confirmed by the Scottish Executive and that ongoing meetings were being convened with the willing restorative party to bring about a start to the rebuilding of 21-25 Union Street.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XII VOLUNTARY POPULATION SURVEY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN87-2002 advising the Committee that Dundee City Council had recently completed its first Voluntary Population Survey, to provide essential information on population and residences which would otherwise not be available between the 10 years' Census cycle and would contribute invaluably to efficient and effective planning and delivery of services.

It was noted that the return rate of the first survey had been encouraging at 62% and that the Planning and Transportation Department were currently preparing the raw data for future analysis and reporting.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XIII CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 - PROPOSED NEW STREET NAME

There was submitted Agenda Note AN88-2002 detailing proposed new street names:-

The Committee approved the abovementioned new street names, and agreed to defer consideration of the proposed name "Smillie Court" at the request of the developer.

In addition, if was further agreed that in future, the views of elected members would be invited at the time of application for Road Construction Consent.

XIV DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (PITKERRO ROAD, DUNDEE) (CYCLE ROUTES) ORDER 2002

This item was withdrawn.

XV DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (MIDMILL ROAD, DUNDEE) (VARIATION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS) EXEMPTION FOR CYCLES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN90-2002, making reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2002 which authorised the preparation of an Order to increase accessibility and improve safety for cyclists in the Midmill Road area.

It was reported that the Order was duly prepared and advertised in the Dundee Courier and Advertiser and The Edinburgh Gazette, the relevant statutory undertakers consulted, and no objections received.

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

XVI DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (CONNEL TERRACE AND OBAN TERRACE, DUNDEE) (STOPPING-UP) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN91-2002 making reference to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2002 wherein it was agreed to stop up the sections of roads at Connel Terrace and Oban Terrace as they had become unnecessary following the demolition of the adjacent housing.

It was reported that the Order was duly prepared and advertised in the Dundee Courier and Advertiser and The Edinburgh Gazette, the relevant statutory undertakers consulted and no objections were received.

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

XVII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (ALBERT STREET, DUNDEE) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN92-2002, making reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th October, 2001 instructing and authorising the preparation of an Order introducing further measures to:-

(a) improve safety by reducing the volume of unnecessary through traffic in Albert Street;

(b) improve facilities in the shopping area and to enhance walking, cycling and public transport use;

(c) to increase the number of short-term parking spaces near the shops;

(d) to improve safety at the Forfar Road/Albert Street/Dura Street/Pitkerro Road junction by introducing traffic signal control and realigning the junction and closing a section of Mains Loan;

(e) to improve penetration for local traffic in Albert Street by allowing two-way traffic over its entire length.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period no adverse comments were received, although an objection had been received before consultation began.

The Committee authorised publication of the Order as drafted.

XVIII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (NETHERGATE AND PERTH ROAD AREA, DUNDEE) (EXTENSION TO CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN93-2002, making reference to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 3rd December, 2001 instructing and authorising the preparation of an Order to improve control and encourage turnover of parking in the area.

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

The Committee authorised formal publication of the Order as drafted.

XIX DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR AREAS) (VARIATION) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN94-2002 making reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th October, 2001 instructing and authorising the preparation of an Order to improve safety for school children by prohibiting vehicles from stopping adjacent to the school entrance in Lawton Road.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period no adverse comments were received and the Order was duly advertised and there were no objections.

The Committee agreed to make the Order as advertised.

XX DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (MAUCHLINE AVENUE TO LONGTOWN ROAD FOOTPATH, DUNDEE) (STOPPING-UP) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN95-2002, making reference to Article XIII of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 25th June, 2001 wherein it was agreed to stop up the Inglefield Street to Longtown Road footpath to facilitate the redevelopment of the area which includes the construction of new housing.

It was reported that the Order was duly prepared and advertised in the Dundee Courier and Advertiser and the Edinburgh Gazette, and the relevant statutory undertakers were consulted. No objections were received.

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

XXI DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (INGLEFIELD STREET TO LONGTOWN ROAD FOOTPATH, DUNDEE) (STOPPING-UP) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN96-2002, making reference to Article XIII of this Committee of 25th June, 2001 wherein it was agreed to stop up the Inglefield Street to Longtown Road footpath to facilitate the redevelopment of the area which included the construction of new housing.

It was reported that the Order was duly prepared and advertised in the Dundee Courier and Advertiser and the Edinburgh Gazette, and the relevant statutory undertakers were consulted. No objections were received.

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

XXII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (NORTH EAST CORRIDOR) (VARIATION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS) ORDER 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN97-2002 making reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of on 26th March, 2001 instructing and authorising the preparation of an Order to facilitate public transport priorities following the construction of Lower Princes Street between Princes Street and Blackscroft.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period no adverse comments were received. However, contact was made by CTC Right to Ride Network and after discussions with them it was proposed that an advisory cycle lane be provided from Arbroath Road via Victoria Street, Crescent Street and the by-passed section of Princes Street. This would require an amendment to the Tayside Region (Crescent Street, Dundee) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 1998 to include an exemption for cyclists. As cycle lanes are advisory they do not appear in the Order.

The Committee authorised formal publication of the order as amended, to include the variation to the said The Tayside Region (Crescent Street, Dundee) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 1988.

ROBIN PRESSWOOD, Convener.