'Urban village' planned for near Dundee's north-western boundary
A new "urban village" accommodating some 275 homes is proposed for Dundee's north-western boundary.
The proposed site.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 31.05.11
- Published online : 31.05.11 @ 01.35pm
City developers Strategic Land (Scotland) Ltd wants to build the project on a parcel of vacant farmland at South Auchray, wedged between Clatto Country Park to the east and Templeton Woods to the south.
If given the go-ahead, the project will include a new road layout and bring the city of Dundee within 500 metres of neighbouring Birkhill, which falls under Angus Council.
Outline plans are at an early stage. As such, a public exhibition is planned early next month to get the opinion of people in Dundee and from the nearby Angus communities. However, there appeared to be little appetite for the development among a small number of Muirhead residents, who expressed concern that the dividing line between where their community ends and where Dundee begins would be blurred.
The issue is to be discussed by the Muirhead, Birkhill and Liff Community Council at a meeting on Thursday.
In the meantime, David Wardrop of Montgomery Forgan Associates, agents for Strategic Land (Scotland) Ltd, told The Courier they welcome all comments from residents.
"We are very keen to hear the views of the local community, both in respect of the housing proposals and also in helping to understand how the park could be improved," he said.
"The proposals are at a preliminary stage and we are very positive about their potential. We would encourage as many members of the community to attend and to give their views."
The proposed urban village falls within Dundee City Council's adopted local plan and would press against the city's boundary edge if permission was granted.
At present, the vast site accommodates a farmhouse and associated outbuildings.
Under the multimillion-pound proposals, the applicant wants to provide a new access road from Templeton Road, which leads off the A923 Coupar Angus Road, running along the western edge of the development boundary.
It also suggested it would make "improvements" to the adjacent Clatto Country Park, popular with walkers and families. The facilities at Clatto include a visitor centre, children's play areas, picnic and barbecue site. The park also offers recreational activities, such as watersports and coarse angling.
The public exhibition is to be held on Wednesday, June 15, between 4.30pm and 8pm at the Dundee Ice Arena, Camperdown Leisure Park.
04.38pm - 31.05.2011 Bob - Fife, Fife Report This
why build so many houses in an area with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country?
09.04am - 01.06.2011 Faither - Dundee, UK Report This
Maybe they're not going to be marketed to unemployed people!
10.37am - 01.06.2011 Muscleguy - Broughty Ferry, Scotland Report This
Why is it that whenever there is a nice natural area we have to build houses right up to the boundary? Just like around the Dighty in Monifieth and around Trottick Ponds, houses hemming in the walking tracks and overlooking areas of recreational amenity. Enough.
12.31pm - 01.06.2011 Laura T - Dundee, Scotland Report This
They are built right upto the boundary as the last local govt. reorganiation left the council with little space to build. It is a nonsense that areas like Birkhill, Invergowrie, Bridgefoot and Monifieth that are clearly suburbs of Dundee are outwith the official city boundaries due to gerrymandering
09.32am - 02.06.2011 Gillian - Tayport, Scotland Report This
If the developers and all involved want as many people to express their views why hold the exhibition for just 3 and a half hours?
10.21am - 03.06.2011 McMe - Dundee, Scotland Report This
There are so many beautiful old derelict buildings around the city already, why can't these be re-developed instead of destroying our green areas? Isn't Dundee proud to have the most green spaces of any city in the UK or did we all get bored of that accolade?
05.37pm - 03.06.2011 anondun - dundee, scotland Report This
how about the council get their pennies out and build a reasonable amount of homes for once, half a dozen doesnt really cut it now does it(mains loan)?! dundee is need of decent housing and they never seem to knock down and rebuild in the same areas!! these new ones will go 2 professional & students
02.39pm - 13.09.2011 Anon - Cambridge, UK Report This
The developers will build pokey, cheap houses with thin walls on small plots and get as much money as possible. The City Council needs to get a backbone and start valuing sustainable quality of life rather than quick bucks... as usual they are 10 yrs behind other leading LAs on this matter.
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