City Development Committee - 01/12/2003

At a MEETING of the PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 1st December, 2003.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor GRANT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th October, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I GARDYNE'S LAND, 71 HIGH STREET, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 619-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation updating the Committee with regard to progress on the restoration of Gardyne's Land and seeking authority to promote a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to enable the restoration of this important building to be guaranteed.

The Committee acceded to requests which had been received for deputations to address the Committee both in support of and relative to objections to this proposal. After the deputations had stated their cases and answered questions from members of the Committee they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

Bailie Corrigan, seconded by Bailie Mackie, moved deferral of this item to allow the interested parties the opportunity to try to come to an agreement.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Shimi, moved that the item be not deferred.

On a division, there voted for the motion ? Bailies Corrigan, Powrie and Mackie and Councillors Hind, Duncan, FitzPatrick and Scott (7); and for the amendment ? the Convener, Bailies Wright and Borthwick and Councillors Shimi, Keenan, Sturrock, Morrow, MacPherson, Dick, Don, Beattie, Andrew Dawson, Fordyce and Wallace (14) ? Councillors Farquhar and Webster declining to vote ? whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

Thereafter, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Shimi, moved that the Committee agree to promote a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the second floor property at 1 New Inn Entry (also known as Second Floor, 68 High Street) currently owned and occupied by the Western Club, subject to Tayside Building Preservation Trust entering into a back to back agreement with the Council whereby the Trust agreed to meet all costs incurred by the Council in connection with the promotion and confirmation of the CPO and agreed to the conveyance of the subjects following the CPO.

As an amendment, Bailie Mackie, seconded by Bailie Farquhar, moved that the Compulsory Purchase Order be not promoted.

On a division, there voted for the motion ? the Convener, Bailies Wright and Borthwick, and Councillors Shimi, Keenan, Sturrock, Hind, Morrow, MacPherson, Dick, Don, Beattie, Andrew Dawson, Fordyce and Wallace (15); and for the amendment ? Bailies Farquhar, Corrigan, Powrie and Mackie and Councillors Duncan, FitzPatrick, Webster and Scott (8); - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

II FINALISED DUNDEE LOCAL PLAN REVIEW - OBJECTIONS TO PRE-INQUIRY CHANGES

There was submitted Report No 739-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation informing the Committee of objections submitted to pre-inquiry changes to the Finalised Dundee Local Plan Review and seeking approval of responses to these objections.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the document entitled the "Council's Responses to Formal Objections to Pre‑Inquiry Changes to the Finalised Dundee Local Plan Review";

(ii) note that formal objections to the pre-inquiry changes that were not withdrawn would be considered alongside all other outstanding objections at the Public Local Inquiry into the Finalised Dundee Local Plan Review; and

(iii) note the progress that had been made in respect of arrangements for the Public Local Inquiry.

III DRAFT DEVELOPMENT BRIEF, DUNDEE STATION

There was submitted Report No 709-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation informing the Committee that, following the approval of the content of the Dundee Station Draft Development Brief on 31st March, 2004, the Brief was circulated to interested parties for consultation purposes. The report advised members of the Committee of the outcome of these consultations and sought approval for the next course of action.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the consultees' comments on the Development Brief;

(ii) approve the suggested minor amendments to the Dundee Station Brief outlined in paragraph 7.2 of the report and refer it to the Development Quality Committee as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications;

(iii) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to develop a passenger survey with the Rail Passenger Committee; and

(iv) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to issue the Brief to interested parties in the development sector.

IV KIRKTON CENTRAL CORE SITE DEVELOPMENT BRIEF

There was submitted Report No 721-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for a Draft Development Brief as a basis of consultation with adjacent residents, businesses and other local interested groups.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the Draft Development Brief for the purposes of consultation;

(ii) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to consult with the adjacent residents, businesses and other interested parties on the terms and content of the Draft Site Planning Brief; and

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

V SCHOOLS PPP DRAFT SITE PLANNING BRIEFS - CONSULTATION RESPONSE

There was submitted Report No 655-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee on the results of the consultation stage for the Draft Site Planning Briefs for the various PPP Schools Projects and seeking approval as guidance to the client, appropriate design teams and developers.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the response to the consultation stage for the Draft Site Planning Briefs;

(ii) confirm the terms of the amended Site Planning Briefs as indicated in Appendix 2 to the report, subject to the briefs being further amended to give consideration to the issue of sustainable construction and materials;

(iii) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to report back to Committee should the ongoing transport assessments or details of community use have any impact on the Briefs as approved;

(iv) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to issue the Final Approved Site Planning Briefs to client, appropriate design teams and developers; and

(v) remit the Final Site Planning Briefs to the Development Quality Committee as relevant material planning considerations.

VI ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DUNDEE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT TRUST

There was submitted Report No 740-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising members of progress in establishing the new City Heritage Trust for Dundee and seeking approval of detailed proposals for the establishment of a City Heritage Trust in co-operation with Historic Scotland and in consultation with the voluntary and business sectors.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) the detailed proposals for setting up a City Heritage Trust for Dundee to be called the "Dundee Historic Environment Trust";

(ii) approve the Outline Project Plan as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iii) the budgets and administration of the Facade Enhancement Grant Scheme (50,000) and the Doors Open Day Projects (3,000) being paid as grants to the Trust annually for the three year period commencing 1st April, 2004;

(iv) second the Council's Conservation Officer to the Trust (for three years) and to backfill the post;

(v) appoint the Director of Planning and Transportation as a Director of the Trust.

VII CYCLING, WALKING AND SAFER STREETS (CWSS) PROJECTS COMMENCING 2004/05

There was submitted Report No 763-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for a programme of works for the year 2004/05 funded from the additional capital grant ring fenced by the Scottish Executive for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets (CWSS) Projects.

The Committee approved the proposed programme of works for the year 2004/05.

VIII ROAD SAFETY MEASURES - IMPLEMENTATION 2003/04

There was submitted Report No 722-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of all the locations in the city where road safety intervention measures had been requested from various sources and seeking Committee approval for a prioritised programme of road safety initiatives and pedestrian facilities in 2003/2004.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that Road Safety Schemes as set out in Appendix B to the report be implemented; and

(ii) that a pedestrian crossing facility be implemented at Queen Street, Broughty Ferry.

IX BROOK STREET, BROUGHTY FERRY - DRAFT TRAFFIC ORDER

There was submitted Report No 651-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation reporting back to the Committee on the results of the objections stage of the above Draft Traffic Order and seeking the approval of the Committee to implement a temporary scheme of works to enable the effects of the Order to be monitored.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the responses to the advertisement of the Draft Traffic Order including a single objection from a public transport undertaking;

(ii) note that the Director of Planning and Transportation would continue to attempt to resolve this object but that, in the event that this objection could not be so resolved, the Council would require to hold a public hearing to consider the objection to the Draft Traffic Order; and

(iii) confirm the terms of the Draft Traffic Order in the event that this objection was resolved by discussion and negotiation; and

(a) approve the expenditure of 12,000 to implement a temporary scheme of works to facilitate the Traffic Order; and

(b) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to report back on the result of a monitoring exercise within twelve months of the date of this Committee.

X BLINSHALL STREET - STOPPING-UP

There was submitted Report No 711-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation considering a request to stop-up a short length of Blinshall Street so that it could be incorporated into an adjoining property.

The Committee approved the preparation of a Stopping-Up Order under the powers of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to stop-up a short length of Blinshall Street at its southern end and to remove it from the Lists of Roads, having noted that as it had only been used to service the single adjoining property which wished to take it over, this length of road could be considered unnecessary.

XI SOUTH MARKETGAIT - PROPOSED WAITING RESTRICTIONS

There was submitted Report No 705-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation considering the implications of introducing waiting restrictions in a new layby in South Marketgait to create a dropping off point.

The Committee approved the preparation of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions in the new layby in South Marketgait which would be formed as part of the hotel development south of Nethergate having noted that this restriction would allow for dropping off and picking up at the hotel.

XII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (ROODYARDS BRIDGE/EAST DOCK STREET, DUNDEE) (PROHIBITION OF RIGHTHAND TURNS) ORDER 2003

There was submitted Agenda Note AN520-2003 making reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th June, 2003 instructing and authorising the preparation of an Order to improve safety by preventing slow moving traffic egressing from Roodyards Bridge from turning right across a single carriageway which has poor sightlines to the east, on a gradient and subject to a speed limit of 40 mph. It would also prevent traffic on East Dock Street waiting in the offside lane to turn right thus obstructing eastbound traffic.

It was reported that the proposed Order had been duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period no adverse comments had been received. However, the Scottish Executive, as roads authority for East Dock Street, had advised that minor changes be made to the wording of the Order and it is recommended that these be incorporated. Thereafter, the Order was duly advertised and there were no objections.

The Committee agreed to the submission of the Order to the Scottish Executive as roads authority as aforesaid for consent to the making thereof, and to make the Order should said consent be given.

XIII ROAD HUMPS (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 1988 - PRIESTON ROAD, BALMUIR PLACE, BALMUIR ROAD,THORNTON ROAD AND NEWTON ROAD, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN521-2003 whereby reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 19th May, 2003 concerning the introduction of road humps in Prieston Road, Balmuir Place, Balmuir Road, Thornton Road and Newton Road, Dundee with a view to improving road safety by slowing traffic speeds.

It was reported that during the statutory consultation and public notice period no adverse comments had been received.

The Committee therefore authorised the scheme for the introduction of speed cushions in Prieston Road, Balmuir Place, Balmuir Road, Thornton Road and Newton Road, Dundee.

XIV DUNDEE CULTURAL QUARTER - SOUTH TAY STREET/NETHERGATE JUNCTION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN522-2003 advising the Council that a study commissioned under the auspices of the Dundee Partnership into public realm works required to support the creation of a Cultural Quarter in Dundee centred on South Tay Street/West Port had been completed early this year, and had confirmed the dislocation effect between the DCA and the Rep Theatre caused by the large traffic flows in the area at certain times of the day. The final study report proposed a series of streetscape and signage improvements in South Tay Street and the Nethergate, to address this and strengthen the link for pedestrians between the two venues.

In April 2003 surfacing works were carried out by a specialist contractor aimed at strengthening the links between the DCA and the Rep Theatre. These works were not completed due to concerns about the quality of workmanship and the finished product which were not considered to be of a satisfactory standard. The material used was a thin coat surfacing and offered the benefit of minimising disruption to traffic during construction.

Following several meetings with the specialist contractor, it became clear that this material would require to be removed and replaced with a more traditional form of construction. The abortive costs associated with this work would be borne by the contractor. It was thereafter proposed that the existing carriageway construction across the junction be excavated and rebuilt using block construction highlighting both the difference in colour and texture of the junction from adjoining roads. These works would commence in January 2004 and would last for approximately four weeks.

The cost of these works were estimated at 46,000, inclusive of professional fees, and would be met from the Planning and Transportation Department?s Capital Budget for 2003/04.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XV PARKER STREET HOUSING SITE - DEVELOPMENT BRIEF

There was submitted Agenda Note AN524-2003 whereby reference was made to the January 2003 meeting of this Committee when the development brief for the Parker Street housing site was approved following consultations. Further consideration of the site boundaries had taken place and it was proposed that these be extended to take in the area of land immediately to the west which presently has no land use allocation.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XVI CONFIRMATION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDER 6/2003 - LIFF HOSPITAL GROUNDS, LIFF, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN525-2003 advising members that on 2nd June, 2003 the Council had made a Provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site, to protect these trees from future development, due to their arboreal and visual amenity.

The Committee authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and the Director of Planning and Transportation to undertake the necessary procedures and confirm the Tree Preservation Order.

XVII BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES FUND - FOOTPATH REPAIRS IN HILLTOWN AND KIRKTON

There was submitted Report No 784-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for the establishment of a partnering arrangement for implementing the footpath improvement works in the Hilltown and Kirkton areas.

The Committee agreed that:-

(i) the Director of Planning and Transportation negotiate a contract not exceeding 200,000 under a partnering arrangement with Tayside Contracts; and

(ii) the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), in conjunction with the Director of Planning and Transportation, issue an acceptance for this contract.

XVIII PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION SYSTEM SMARTBUS - REPORT ON TENDERS

There was submitted Report No 776-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation detailing tenders received in respect of the above.

The Committee approved acceptance of an offer from Advanced Communications and Information Systems Ltd (ACIS) amounting to 2,493,000.

IX SMARTBUS - INBUS CCTV

There was submitted Report No 764-2003 by the City Engineer seeking authorisation funding for the installation of the Inbus CCTV cameras in all buses owned by Travel Dundee and Strathtay Buses Limited operating in Dundee.

The Committee approved:-

(i) a contribution of 407,844 to Travel Dundee who were also acting as the client on behalf of Strathtay Buses Limited for the supply and installation of the CCTV system; and

(ii) the overall expenditure of 470,000 which included an allowance of 22,156 for contingencies and 40,000 for professional fees.

XX TENDERS RECEIVED BY DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION

There was submitted Report No 777-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation detailing tenders received in respect of BCPT Whitehall Area Shelters.

The Committee approved acceptance of the lowest offer from Trueform Engineering Ltd amounting to 662,465, together with allowances amounting to 180,000, giving a total of 842,465.

XXI TENDER RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 725-2003 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received in respect of BCPT Whitehall Area Groundworks.

The Committee approved acceptance of the lowest offer from Land & Building Services Limited amounting to 249,477.03, together with allowances amounting to 234,522.97, giving a total of 484,000.

The Committee resolved under Section 40(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 8(A) of the Act.

XXII SITE AT ELIZA STREET/MAINS LOAN, STOBSWELL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN523-2003 whereby reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2000 whereby the Director of Planning and Transportation reported upon the external consultation undertaken on a draft Development Brief for a site at Eliza Street/Mains Loan. At that meeting the Committee approved the Development Brief and commended the Brief to the Development Quality Committee as a material consideration for development control purposes.

Reference was also made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Economic Development Committee of 19th August, 2002 whereby approval was given to the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations to dispose of the Council?s holdings, subject to the condition that the Development Brief is adhered to.

The Committee noted the terms of a provisional agreement with QDECCO Developments, and agreed that the property held by the Planning and Transportation Department at Eliza Street/Mains Loan/Dura Street, Stobswell be declared surplus to requirements and remitted the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to conclude legal formalities with the preferred developer.

FIONA GRANT, Convener.