City Development Committee - 11/12/2006

At a MEETING of the PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th December, 2006.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

C D P FARQUHAR

Helen WRIGHT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

Neil I C POWRIE

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Jill SHIMI

Nigel DON

Jim BARRIE

Kevin KEENAN

Bob DUNCAN

Will DAWSON

Julie M STURROCK

Richard BEATTIE

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Christopher HIND

Andrew DAWSON

Roderick A J WALLACE

Joe MORROW

Willie W SAWERS

Charles A WEBSTER

Fraser MACPHERSON

Joe FITZPATRICK

Derek J SCOTT

 

Christina ROBERTS

 

 

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Vice Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th November, 2006 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I THE DRAFT HILLTOWN REGENERATION FRAMEWORK

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 548-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation and the Director of Housing seeking approval to proceed to engage with the communities, owners and interested parties upon the content of the draft regeneration framework for the Hilltown area.

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

(a) approve the draft Hilltown Regeneration Framework as a basis for public consultation;

 

(b) remit to the Director of Planning and Transportation and the Director of Housing to engage and consult with the interested and affected parties upon the content of the draft framework and to report the findings to Committee; and

 

(c) approve the proposed landscaping works as an early action to improve the physical environment in key locations in the Hilltown.

 

II WHITFIELD DESIGN FRAMEWORK - REPORT ON RESULT OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE

 

There was submitted Report No 668-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the outcome of consultation on the draft Whitfield Framework, and seeking approval of amendments to it and the incorporation of this Framework into a draft Design Guide as a basis for further consultation on the development of a strategy for achieving the continuing regeneration of the Whitfield area.

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

(a) note the results of the public consultation exercise on the Draft Framework;

 

(b) approve the revised Design Framework as a basis for taking forward discussion to secure the implementation of proposals to further regenerate the Whitfield area;

 

(c) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation and the Director of Housing to consult with interested parties on the draft Design Guide;

 

(d) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation, the Director of Housing and the Director of Economic Development to further investigate issues in relation to Dunbar Park and the Whitfield Shopping Centre that emerged through the consultation process;

 

(e) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation, the Director of Housing and the Director of Economic Development to bring forward a report outlining the preferred means for making available the Council's land interests and securing the full implementation of the revised Design Framework; and

 

(f) remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to investigate the issues of vandalism of street lighting in Whitfield and identify lighting columns and footpaths that could be removed.

 

III ST LEONARD'S HOUSE - DRAFT SITE DEVELOPMENT BRIEF CONSULTATION RESPONSES

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN392-2006, making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th August, 2006 whereby approval was given to the Director of Planning and Transportation to proceed with external consultations on the draft site planning brief for St Leonard's House, St Leonard's Terrace and to report back to Committee on the completion of the consultation exercise.

 

The Committee noted the consultation carried out, the responses and the Officers' responses thereto.

 

The Committee approved the Brief, subject to the addition in the landscaping section of the Brief, of the sentence "This landscape plan will where possible seek to retain the existing trees within the site".

 

IV RESERVOIRS ACT 1975 - CLATTO RESERVOIR INSPECTION REPORT

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN393-2006 advising that Dundee City Council had responsibilities as both Enforcement Authority and jointly with Scottish Water as Operating Authority under the Reservoirs Act for Clatto Reservoir, Dundee. The Council's responsibilities as Operating Authority were discharged by the Leisure and Communities Department, although Scottish Water had inherited rights to use Clatto Reservoir for its primary purpose in times of water shortage. The Enforcement Authority duties were discharged by the Planning and Transportation Department.

 

It was reported that an annual inspection had been undertaken by a Reservoirs Safety Panel Engineer specifically to examine matters in the interests of safety derived from the 10 year Safety Inspection carried out under Section 10(2)(d) of the Reservoirs Safety Act 1975, and the findings and recommendations of the most recent report had been that:

 

(a) the reservoir was in good condition considering its age and service history;

 

(b) the reservoir had been re-categorised to a Category "A" and there was a requirement for a formalisation of procedures in response to any emergency situations which may arise. In particular, the Panel Engineer advised that considering the various responsibilities and interests of Dundee City Council and Scottish Water, a definitive chain of command should be established with a nominated single officer in charge; and

(c) further mapping work at an estimated cost of 12,500 was required.

 

It was further noted that in view of the comments made by the Panel Engineer, it was intended to meet with Scottish Water to formalise the procedure regarding emergency response and responsibility for undertaking the Mapping Work.

 

V ROAD SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT 2006

 

There was submitted Report No 676-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the progress made in reducing road accident casualties in Dundee.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

VI UPDATE ON ROAD SAFETY SCHEMES - IMPLEMENTATION 2006-2007

 

There was submitted Report No 674-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval for a programme of road safety measures to be implemented at locations in the city.

 

The Committee agreed:-

 

(a) to approve the implementation of the Road Safety Schemes as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

 

(b) that the required engineering works be awarded to Tayside Contracts under the Partnering arrangement.

 

VII PROVISION FOR CYCLISTS IN DUNDEE

 

There was submitted Report No 682-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation, considering the implications of additional cycle paths throughout Dundee.

 

The Committee approved the preparation of the necessary shared use Traffic Regulation Order to allow cyclists the use of the paths listed in the proposals.

 

VIII UPDATE ON THE CYCLING, WALKING AND SAFER STREET (CWSS) PROJECTS COMMENCING 2006-2007

 

There was submitted Report No 675-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation, seeking approval for a programme of works at specific sites identified to improve the pedestrian environment within the city.

 

The Committee approved the proposed programme of works as set out in Appendix A to the report.

 

IX SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR AREAS

 

There was submitted Report No 619-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation, considering the requirement to add or to alter the provision of school keep clear markings in the city.

 

The Committee approved the preparation of a Traffic Regulation Variation Order to add or vary the provisions of the Dundee City Council (School Keep Clear Areas) Order 1997 as detailed in the report.

 

X DUNDEE AREA WAITING RESTRICTIONS VARIATION

 

There was submitted Report No 615-2006, considering all the requests during the last year for additions and alterations to waiting restrictions throughout the city.

 

The Committee approved the preparation of a Traffic Regulation Variation Order to effect the changes to the waiting restrictions in the relevant Traffic Regulations Orders for Dundee, as detailed in the report.

 

XI AFTON PLACE - HONEYGREEN ROAD - STOPPING UP

 

There was submitted Report No 642-2006 by the Director of Planning and Transportation considering a proposal to stop-up a length of Honeygreen Road and Afton Place in order to facilitate the new supermarket development on the site of the former Linlathen High School.

 

The Committee approved the preparation of a Stopping-Up Order utilising the powers of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to stop-up a length of Honeygreen Road and Afton Place.

 

XII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (INVERGOWRIE DRIVE AREA) (WAITING RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2006

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN394-2006, making reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th November, 2005, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to relieve congestion and protect accesses in the area.

 

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period, 39 objections were received. Of these objections, 13 were later withdrawn. On 14th August, 2006, the Planning and Transportation Committee authorised publication of the Order subject to the amendment that "the proposed restrictions on the east side of the main carriageway and on one side of the cul-de-sac be converted from No Waiting at Any Time to No Waiting, Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm."

 

Thereafter the Order had been advertised and three objections had been received.

 

The Committee agreed to make the Order as advertised.

 

XIII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (CENTRAL WATERFRONT [YEAMAN SHORE] AND DISCOVERY QUAY [EARL GREY PLACE SOUTH] ANDGREENMARKET CAR PARKS) (CONVERSION TO VARIABLE STAY TARIFF) ORDER 2006

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN395-2006, making reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th May, 2006 wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to create more variable stay parking close to the city centre following the construction of a multi storey car park in Greenmarket to cater for shopping and business visitor demand.

 

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

 

Thereafter, the Order had been duly advertised and one objection had been received.

 

The Committee agreed to make the Order, which had been amended to allow for payment at the re-named Greenmarket Car Park to be payment on exit by the way of coins, credit/debit cards and cash with change, hence making it much more customer friendly.

XIV DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (TAXI RANK CLEARWAYS) ORDER 2006

 

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to be heard relative to objections to the abovementioned proposed Order. After the deputation had stated its case and answered questions from members of the Committee, it was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN396-2006, making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th March, 2006 wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to relieve congestion by permitting taxis unimpeded access to taxi ranks.

 

It was reported that the proposed Order had been duly drafted and during the statutory consultation comments were received from Dundee Taxi Association and the Chief Constable. As a result of the comments, it was recommended that the Order be amended to include the stacking rank in James Black Place, and that the stacking rank in Caird Avenue be moved further away from the junction with Marryat Street to improve the sightline.

 

The Order was thereafter advertised and two objections had been received.

 

The Committee agreed to make the Order as advertised. It was further remitted to the Director of Planning and Transportation to report back on control measures by Police and Traffic Wardens.

 

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

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN397-2007 proposing the undernoted new street name:-

 

Proposed Name

Ward

Location

Background

 

 

 

 

Thorter Way

East Port

South Victoria Dock

Road to south

To continue with the previously agreed naming strategy for the area

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

XVI NEW ROADS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN398-2006 detailing the undernoted applications for Road Construction Consent:-

 

Location

Ward

Applicant

Revenue Implications per annum

 

 

 

 

Tannadice Street

Dundee (CC06/23)

Stobswell

Servite Housing Association

580

 

 

 

 

Fountainbleau Road/Fintry Road

Dundee (CC06/24)

Longhaugh, Pitkerro & Claverhouse Pitkerro, Baxter Park & Claverhouse

Morrisons Ltd

1000

 

 

 

 

Forfar Road/Kingsway

Dundee (CC06/25)

Pitkerro, Baxter Park & Claverhouse

Morrisons Ltd

1000

 

The Committee approved the applications and further agreed that on satisfactory completion of these roads and, if so requested by the applicants, they be entered on the List of Public Roads for the purposes of management and maintenance of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

XVII CONFIRMATION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

 

(a) 10 WESTGROVE AVENUE, DUNDEE

 

The Committee noted that on 8th September, 2006, the Council had made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the abovementioned site, in order to protect the arboreal amenity of the area.

 

(b) LAND TO THE WEST OF MACALPINE ROAD, DUNDEE

 

The Committee noted that on 8th September, 2006, the Council had made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the abovementioned site, in order to retain the visual impact of the mature tree shelter belt to the immediate locale.

 

(c) LAND TO WEST OF DYKES OF GRAY ROAD, DUNDEE

 

The Committee noted that on 31st August, 2006, the Council had made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the abovementioned site, in order to protect the arboricultural amenity of the area.

 

It was reported that no objections had been received in respect of these three Tree Preservation Orders.

 

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

 

XVIII CAIRD AVENUE ROUNDABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN400-2006 making reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2006 when approval was given to appoint T & N Gilmartin to carry out improvement works to the Craigie Street Car Park.

 

It was reported that additional works had now been identified that required to be carried out to the Caird Avenue roundabout, similar to the completed works at the Coldside roundabout. The City Engineer had obtained a quotation from the above contractor for carrying out these works under the above contract and recommended that this be accepted.

 

The Committee authorised the City Engineer to instruct these works, having noted that the overall costs amounted to 20,000 including 2,000 for professional fees and 1,164.83 for contingencies, and would be funded from the Community Regeneration Fund for Stobswell within the Planning and Transportation Capital Plan 2006/2007.

 

XIX DOCK STREET TUNNEL

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN401-2006 making reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th May, 2005 wherein the City Engineer was remitted to appoint AMCO to work with the design team to develop the detailed proposals for the strengthening of Dock Street Tunnel as part of the Central Waterfront Development. The Director of Planning and Transportation was also given authority to negotiate a contract within the overall allowance of 8.495 million and the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) authorised to accept the recommended offer subject to funding availability.

 

Reference was also made to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th December, 2005 wherein the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) was authorised to agree the final wording and on behalf of Dundee City Council enter into an Asset Protection Agreement with Network Rail. The Committee was also advised that the design solution had been revised to reduce risk to the Council.

It was reported that the detailed proposals for the strengthening of Dock Street Tunnel had now been finalised and agreed with Network Rail, as had authority to enter the Asset Protection Agreement. During the detailed design phase it became apparent that it would be more cost effective and less disruptive in the future to bring forward the reconstruction of Dock Street which was required in any case as part of the overall Central Waterfront Development.

 

On the basis of the original tender submitted by AMCO, a tender of 6,171,289.93 for the strengthening of Dock Street Tunnel including the reconstruction of Dock Street itself had been negotiated with AMCO. Once all other allowances were made, the revised overall project allowance was 7,800,456.93 which included a sum of 450,000 for the permanent reinstatement of Dock Street.

 

The Depute Chief Executive (Finance) had confirmed that funding was available for these works through the Cities Growth Fund for 2006/2007, 2007/08 and 2008/09 and therefore there was no need to carry out the works in stages as previously reported.

 

Works were programmed to start on 27th November, 2006 with a contract period of 52 weeks.

 

In view of the timescales involved, the Chief Executive and Director of Planning and Transportation, after consultation with the Convener and spokespersons from the other groups, approved the appointment of AMCO.

 

The Committee noted accordingly.

 

 

 

 

Kevin KEENAN, Vice Convener.