By Alan Wilson

SIX MONTHS after planning permission was refused by the city council for development of eight-storey blocks of 201 flats on the vacant Homebase site on Riverside Drive, the new owners of the site have lodged a new application for a £25-£30 million development of six nine-storey blocks of 202, one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Included in the plans are one and two-floor penthouses with large garden terraces featuring panoramic views of the city, down to Broughty Ferry, across to Fife and up to Invergowrie Bay, with prices ranging from £90,000 for a one-bedroom flat to around £200,000 for a three- bedroom, two-storey flat.

The plans were lodged yesterday with the city council by new site owners Hagan Properties Ltd, who purchased the site from the previous owners Miller Developments (Ltd) in July.

The previous application was rejected by a single vote in March when councillors decided it contravened the local plan.

During the committee’s debate on the application, councillors also indicated their worries about the possibilities of some of the flats being used as houses of multiple occupancy, leading Hagan Properties Ltd to insert a prohibition order on any initial or future purchasers of properties in the block becoming HMOs.

David Hagan, managing director of Hagan Properties Ltd, said last night, “We have decided as a matter of policy that included in the title deeds of all owners, and all future owners, will be a prohibition against HMO applications. These will not be allowed under the terms of ownership—and this includes not just the first owner but all future owners in perpetuity.

“We have instructed our solicitors to work with the council legal officers to ensure compliance with this decision and we believe talks have already taken place within the legal section of Dundee City Council and we are happy to sign up to any agreement that meets this criteria.”

Mr Hagan said his company had engaged consultants who had indicated that a number of restrictions are placed on the site going back to the days of the Scottish Development Agency, which severely curtailed the commercial uses for the site.

“Reports were prepared including the condition of the sub-soil, the transport effect of any development, an acoustic survey of rail, air and traffic noise, landscaping, personal security, the implications of previous planning notes and planning restrictions,” he said.

“The research also took into account the fact that the site has been vacant for a number of years and, given the lease arrangements, is likely to remain vacant for years to come.

“Note was also made that the site is extremely significant given its location on one of the city’s designated ambassador routes.

“The consultants worked with officers from Dundee City Council’s planning department and are pleased to thank them and other departments within the council for their professional attitude towards our plans.”

Mr Hagan stressed that given the fact the site has the potential to be a flagship for the city, a significant building of quality and character is required.

“The application is for a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and residences, including one and two-floor penthouses with large garden terraces, an important element of which will be a significant amount of glass allowing some residents views in many directions,” he said.