City Development Committee - 09/12/2013

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th December, 2013.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Bill CAMPBELL, Depute Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th November, 2013 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II REVISED DRAFT SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY - SUSTAINABILITY AND PLANNING CONSULTATION

There was submitted Report No 484-2013 by the Director of City Development seeking the Committee's approval for the Council's response to the Scottish Government consultation on the revised draft Scottish Planning Policy on Sustainability and Planning.

The Committee approved the proposed response to the revised draft Scottish Planning Policy on Sustainability and Planning as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

III DRAFT SITE PLANNING BRIEFS - HADDINGTON EAST, WHITFIELD, FORMER DOWNFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL ANNEX, EAST SCHOOLROAD, AND FORMER FIRE STATION, STRATHMORE AVENUE

There was submitted Report No 481-2013 by the Director of City Development seeking approval of Draft Site Planning Briefs for consultation with local communities and interested parties in order to promote the redevelopment opportunities at the vacant Council owned sites at Haddington East in Whitfield, the former Downfield Primary School and the former Fire Station on Strathmore Avenue.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the Draft Site Planning Briefs for consultation purposes;

(ii) remit the Director of City Development to consult with the local communities and interested parties on the Draft Site Planning Briefs; and

(iii) remit the Director of City Development to report on the results of the consultation.

IV DUNDEE PARTNERSHIP ECONOMIC STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2013-2017

There was submitted Report No 439-2013 by the Director of City Development providing information on the Dundee Partnership Economic Strategy and Action Plan 2013-2017, which had been developed by Dundee Partnership Work and Enterprise Theme partners. It outlined the economic challenges and opportunities facing the local economy, future strategic priorities and the actions that partners would take to support delivery of better economic outcomes for Dundee.

The Committee noted and endorsed the Dundee Partnership Economic Strategy and Action Plan 2013-2017.

V CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 - PROPOSED NEW STREET NAMES - NEW ROAD AT WHITFIELD LIFE SERVICES CENTRE, 71LOTHIAN CRESCENT, DUNDEE

The Committee agreed to hear a deputation from pupils from Ballumbie Primary School in respect of proposal 1 in the undernoted Agenda Note. After the deputation had stated their case and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, there was submitted Agenda Note AN139-2013 advising the Committee that a consultation on a new street name for a new access road being constructed in Whitfield to service the new Life Services building commenced on 22nd October, 2013 and concluded on 8th November, 2013.

The consultation correspondence was put to the Ward Councillors, City Archivist, Communities Officer, The Whitfield Development Group, NHS Tayside and Ballumbie Primary School.

Suggestions for names were requested asking for reasons for the choice of name. The following proposals were received as part of the consultation exercise:-

1 Harvest Field Crescent - proposed by P5/6 pupils of Ballumbie Primary School which is near to the proposed road. The name was chosen to show historical links to the surrounding area and linking to farming/harvesting of crops from the fields.

2 The Crescent - proposed by The Whitfield Development Group as a link to the new building.

3 Crescent Entry - proposed by The Whitfield Development Group as a link to the new building.

4 Greenfield Crescent - proposed by The Whitfield Development Group as a reference to the former primary school which stood near the new road.

5 Whitberry Crescent - proposed by The Whitfield Development Group as a reference to the berry fields that once dominated the site of the estate.

6 Kellyfield Crescent - proposed by a Ward Councillor as a link to the former Kellyfield Hotel which was near the new road.

The Whitfield Development Group also suggested reintroducing names of former buildings within Dunbar Park that have been demolished: Copper Blue Court, Camberwell Court, Holly Blue Court and Small Meadow Court.

The above proposals numbered 1 to 6 were considered as relevant and appropriate, however, the suggestion to reintroduce the former street names was not considered appropriate for this street but may be considered for future housing roads in the area.

Consideration was given to all the proposed names and it was concluded that Harvest Field Crescent should be promoted as the official name for this new street.

The Committee approved the new street name of Harvest Field Crescent.

VI TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN140-2013 detailing the undernoted Tree Preservation Orders:-

(a) 07/2013 - LAND AT 43 ALBANY ROAD, BROUGHTY FERRY, DUNDEE

Members noted on 30th August, 2013, the Council made a Tree Preservation Order on a lime tree at the above-mentioned site. The site was located within West Ferry Conservation Area.

The Tree Preservation Order was placed on this tree because it made an important contribution to the visual and arboreal amenity of the area. The owner had requested to carry out severe pollarding to the tree and the only way the tree could be protected was to place a Tree Preservation Order on it.

One letter of objection was received from the owner of the site. The grounds of objection were as follows:-

- In the opinion of the owner's Tree Surgeons, the tree is moving north east and may fall onto the coach house located within this site;

- the tree is located close to a boundary wall which is showing signs of structural movement; and

- the tree stops sunlight to neighbour's garden.

The Council's Forestry Officer had visited the above site on a number of occasions throughout the years and he could see no sign of movement or danger of the tree falling over. It was the owner's responsibility to maintain and protect the wall. The Forestry Officer confirmed works could be undertaken to the tree to let in more sunlight without the need to remove the tree or to severely prune it.

(b) 05/2013 - LAND AT WINDSOR COURT, BROUGHTY FERRY, DUNDEE

Members noted that on 22nd August, 2013, the Council made a Tree Preservation Order on the abovementioned site. This was a review of Tree Preservation Order 06/1982.

No objections had been received.

Members authorised the Head of Democratic and Legal Services and Director of City Development to undertake the necessary procedures and confirm the above Tree Preservation Order.

Copies of the map had been circulated to Group Leaders, Bailie Scott, Bailie Borthwick and Councillor Macpherson.

VII CITY SQUARE BOX OFFICE - UPGRADING WORKS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN141-2013 advising the Committee that as part of the redevelopment of the City Square Complex, the formation of the new Box Office was deemed integral to the initial redevelopment plan. With the approval of the Chief Executive the works were commissioned and designed by City Development and carried out by the Environment Department (Contract Services).

The Committee noted that the works had been completed and inclusive of professional fees amount to 199,500, this could be contained within the allowances in the Capital Plan 2013/2014.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECT

There was submitted Report No 488-2013 by the City Architect detailing tenders received in respect of the undernoted project:-

(a) 189 AND 191 PRINCES STREET - INTERNAL AND SHOPFRONT REFURBISHMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Logie Building Services Ltd, Dundee in the sum of 41,110.07, to which required to be added allowances of 6,162 for Professional Services and 5,000 for Contingencies, giving a total of 52,272.07.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 492-2013 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received in respect of the undernoted project.

(a) DUNDEE CENTRAL WATERFRONT CONTRACT - INFRASTRUCTURE SUDS POND AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest ranking score for cost and quality from Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd in the sum of 11,425,020.21, to which require to be added allowances of 97,000 for Diversion of Public Utilities, 100,000 for New Communication Services Infrastructure, 400,000 for Street Lighting, 400,000 for Traffic Signals, 60,000 for Traffic Signs, 110,000 for Landscaping/tree planting, 10,000 for Archaeological Survey, 60,000 for Miscellaneous Works, 513,000 for Contingencies, 910,000 for Professional Fees and 15,000 for CDM Co-ordinator, giving a total of 14,100,020.21.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and 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 paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

X SALE OF LAND AT ABERLADY CRESCENT, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 490-2013 seeking approval for the sale of land, extending to 5.34ha or thereby at Aberlady Crescent, Dundee.

The Committee approved the proposed sale of land at Aberlady Crescent, Dundee.

Bill CAMPBELL, Depute Convener.