City Development Committee - 22/10/2007

At a MEETING of the PLANNING AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 22nd October, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Fraser MACPHERSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th September, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ULLAPOOL CRESCENT - LOCHINVER CRESCENT FOOTPATH - STOPPING-UP

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to address the Committee in favour of the proposal. After the deputation had stated its case and answered questions from members of the Committee, it was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, there was submitted Report No 471-2007 by the Director of Planning and Transportation considering the necessity to stop-up the Ullapool Crescent - Lochinver Crescent footpath.

The Committee agreed that in order to prevent anti-social behaviour, the necessary Order be prepared utilising the powers of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to stop-up the Ullapool Crescent - Lochinver Crescent footpath.

II PROPOSED EXTENSION OF RESIDENTS' PARKING SCHEMES

There was submitted Report No 460-2007 by the Director of Planning and Transportation outlining the required work and associated cost implications of implementing new residents' parking schemes for a number of specified areas in Dundee which will potentially extend the existing schemes operated by Dundee City Council.

The Committee agreed to evaluate and approve plans to carry out public consultations to gauge support for the proposed extension of the current Residents' Parking Schemes in the City.

III DUNDEE AREA WAITING RESTRICTIONS VARIATION

There was submitted Report No 486-2007 by the Director of Planning and Transportation 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 Regulation Orders for Dundee, as detailed in the report.

IV STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AUTHORITIES: DESIGNATION ORDERS AND STATUTORY GUIDANCE - CONSULTATION PAPER BYTHE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE - JULY 2007

There was submitted Report No 497-2007 by the Director of Planning and Transportation detailing the City Council's comments on the Scottish Government's Consultation Paper on proposals for the new Strategic Development Planning Authorities.

The Committee agreed:-

(a) to forward the comments contained in Appendix I of the report to the Scottish Government in response to its Consultation Paper; and

(b) that these comments be made public as part of the Scottish Government's Report on Resources to Consultation Paper.

V THE FINALISED FIFE STRUCTURE PLAN 2006-2026 - HOUSING LAND REQUIREMENT RE-APPRAISAL

There was submitted Report No 493-2007 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the publication of the Finalised Fife Structure Plan 2006-2026 Consultation Statement: Housing Land Requirement Re-appraisal, and seeking approval for the Director of Planning and Transportation to submit formal comments on behalf of the City Council to Fife Council.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) note that the Finalised Fife Structure Plan Consultation Statement on the Re-appraisal of the Housing Land Requirement was issued for comment on the 20th August, 2007;

(b) note that the objections submitted to Scottish Ministers by the City Council in response to the Finalised Fife Structure Plan were still valid and would be taken into account by the Scottish Government when making their determination on the Finalised Fife Structure Plan 2006-2026; and

(c) approve the report which sets out Dundee City Council's comments on the Finalised Fife Structure Plan Housing Land Requirement Re-appraisal and remit the Director of Planning and Transportation to submit these to Fife Council.

VI PROVISION OF WEATHER FORECASTING SERVICE FOR WINTER MAINTENANCE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN252-2007 advising the Committee that a consortium of Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Fife Council and Perth and Kinross Council had issued tenders for the winter maintenance weather forecasting service.

For winters 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, three providers had been invited to tender on the basis of a two year contract with the option to extend by one further year.

The Committee noted the tenders received and agreed to accept the most advantageous tender, from Metro Group, of which Dundee City Council's share was 11,075 in year 1 and 11,419 in year 2.

The Committee also agreed to the two year contract being extended to 2009/2010 subject to a satisfactory service being provided in the initial two years and no significant developments in other providers' technology.

VII RENEWAL OF MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR ICE PREDICTION SERVICES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN253-2007 advising the Committee that the City Engineer had obtained a quotation from the current provider Vaisala for the continuing maintenance of the ice prediction outstations and the forecasting bureau services over the next five years, along with proposals for the renovation of the outstations.

The Committee agreed to the renewal of maintenance service for the next five years and a phased renovation of the ice prediction outstations over a three year period, at a total cost of 89,600 over a five year period.

VIII PARK AVENUE STREETSCAPE - BALDOVAN TERRACE - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS/TENEMENT STREET PLANTING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN254-2007, making reference to Article XIV of this Committee of 3rd November, 2006, wherein the City Engineer was authorised to appoint Dundee Plant Company Limited to carry out environmental improvement works to Park Avenue Streetscape.

It was reported that the main works were nearing completion and additional works had been identified that required to be carried out in Baldovan Terrace and other areas within the Stobswell area. The City Engineer had obtained a quotation from the above contractor which demonstrated favourable rates for carrying out these additional works under the above contract.

The Committee agreed to accept this quotation, having noted that the overall costs amounted to 138,000, including 13,000 for professional fees and 8,458 for contingencies, and authorised the City Engineer to instruct these works.

IX REVIEW OF CAR PARKING CHARGES

There was submitted Report No 457-2007 by the Director of Planning and Transportation proposing an increase in parking charges from April 2008.

The Committee agreed an increased schedule of tariff levels for car parking charges as specified in Appendix I to the report.

X NEW ROADS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN255-2007 advising that the undernoted applications had been submitted and the Director of Planning and Transportation had recommended that they be approved subject to conditions which have been agreed with the applicant:-

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 in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

XI CONFIRMATION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN256-2007 advising of the undernoted Tree Preservation Orders:-

(a) 08/2007 - LAND AT AND TO THE EAST OF 12 BRIARWOOD TERRACE

It was reported that this site was contained within the West End Suburbs Conservation Area and in March 2007 the Council were made aware that a mature Hawthorn tree had been felled without the Council receiving the necessary six weeks' notice in writing of the intended works from the owner of the relevant part of the site. On the recommendation of the Council's Forestry Officer, the owner was required to replace this tree with a Hawthorn tree of a specific size, which was done.

Following this, on 22nd May, 2007, the Council made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site covering the replacement Hawthorn tree and other mature trees on the site, and one objection had been received.

The Committee noted the terms of the objection and the Council's response thereto.

(b) 09/2007 - GROUND AT 22 FOGGYLEY GARDENS, DUNDEE

It was reported that on 5th July, 2007, the Council had made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site and no objections had been received.

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

XII TRAFFIC ORDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN257-2007 relative to the undernoted Traffic Orders:-

(a) ANGUS COUNCIL AND DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (B978 KELLAS ROAD, ANGUS AND DUNDEE) (RESTRICTED ROADS) ORDER 2007

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th June, 2007, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to improve road safety by introducing a 30 mph speed restriction on that length of Kellas Road which is adjacent to recent housing developments.

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

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

(b) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (20 MPH SPEED LIMITS AROUND SCHOOLS) (VARIATION) ORDER 2007

Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th January, 2004, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to create a safer environment around schools that would encourage children to walk and cycle to school. The Order referred to various locations around Claypotts Castle, Craigowl, Downfield, Fintry, Rowantee and St Vincent's Primary Schools and St Paul's High School.

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

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

(c) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (DYKES OF GRAY ROAD AND LINLATHEN ROAD, DUNDEE) (VARIATION OF SPEED LIMITS) ORDER 2007

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th August, 2007, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to improve safety by introducing the appropriate speed limits following major housing developments.

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

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

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XIII PLANNING SEMINAR FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS, 17TH AND 18TH DECEMBER, 2007, MACDONALD HOLYROOD HOTEL, EDINBURGH

There was submitted Agenda Note AN264-2007 advising that the Scottish Government had organised a one and a half day seminar for elected members on 17th and 18th December at the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh to provide a series of presentations and opportunities for discussion of current planning issues.

The Committee authorised the attendance of one member of the Administration, one member of the Major Opposition and one member of the Minor Opposition Groups, having noted that all costs except travel expenses would be covered by the Scottish Government.

Fraser MACPHERSON, Convener.