An appeal has been lodged with the Scottish Government against Dundee City Council’s decision not to allow new student accommodation in a prominent listed building.
Members of the development management committee voted against plans for 25 student apartments at Brown Street on West Marketgait, within walking distance of both the city’s universities.
The proposal failed to meet the requirements of the councillors who judged the development would affect the character and architectural features in the A-listed Tay Mills by erasing the last expansive area of floorspace.
The applicant, Crosslane Investment Partners (Dundee) LLP, of Manchester, want to convert the ground floor retail and storage unit into duplex-style apartments with open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas.
In a bid to rescue this vision, the applicant has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government through their agent, James F. Stephen Architects.
In a statement to the government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, the agent said the refusal by the council “is completely unjustified” as it has not taken “material considerations” into account.
“Listed buildings such as the Tay Mills building do require alteration and adaptation from time to time if they are to remain occupied and in beneficial use, and are likely to face increasing risks if such alteration and adaptation is unduly constrained,” wrote the agent.
“In this particular case, Historic Scotland has confirmed that they are of the opinion that the changes incorporated within the proposals can be approached carefully and can be managed without adversely affecting the special interest of the Tay Mills building.”