Inquiry hears council's case for compulsory purchase of derelict Stobswell shop
The fate of a derelict shop in Stobswell is a step closer to being decided following a public inquiry in Dundee.
The former Buy Right shop in Stobswell turns heads for all the wrong reasons.
- By Maura Bowman
- Published in the Courier : 29.08.11
- Published online : 29.08.11 @ 08.56am
Dundee City Council has been pursuing a compulsory purchase order to acquire the former Buy Right premises at 191 Princes Street, which has long been considered a blight on the regeneration of the area.
The order was made in March 2009, when the council announced plans to take over and refurbish the building, at the expected cost of around £60,000.
However, the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals received an objection to the order and planning reporter Ronald Jackson heard evidence in the case at a public inquiry in the Apex Hotel last week.
"Before confirming the order the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 states that Scottish ministers are required to hold an inquiry or afford parties the opportunity to be heard where an objection is made and not withdrawn by a person other than the local authority," explained a spokesman for the department.
"The order is for the purpose of securing the development and redevelopment of land and the proper planning of the area in which the land is situated."
Documents lodged by the council in connection with the case reveal that the local authority was moved to seek a compulsory purchase order when attempts to trace the owner of the building failed.
In its statement of reasons for seeking the order, the city council said the condition of the premises could eventually cause problems for the rest of the building and "the current appearance of the property is detrimental to the commercial well-being of this section of Princes Street, which is an extension of the Albert Street district shopping centre."
At that time, the property had already been derelict for more than five years and was detracting from the regeneration of Stobswell, as well as attracting complaints from a neighbouring business.
Considerable efforts had been made to identify and trace the owner of the building, whom the council believed had left Dundee and moved to Hong Kong.
As the owner could not then be traced, a compulsory purchase order was seen as the only way to remove "the blighting effect of the vacant and derelict property."
A Dundee City Council spokesman said after the hearing: "The city council is now awaiting the findings of the inquiry."
09.10am - 29.08.2011 joppie - dundee, Uk Report This
5 years!? Judging by the 5 digit telephone number it has been more than that!
10.04am - 29.08.2011 Charlie - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
If the 'owner' has the hard neck to come forward he should be billed for its renovation - sorry gutting and return to proper use.
12.31pm - 01.09.2011 adam christopher davidson - dundee, uk Report This
i think any shop that is left empty for so long should be boarded up and painted with a theme on it just to make it look nicer
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