Disputed plans to build more than 60 houses on the site of a former Dundee school have been rejected by the city council.
And in what is thought to be a first for the local authority, permission for a member of the public to record a live audio file of proceedings was granted.
An application submitted by building company Persimmon homes to build 62 dwellings on the site of the now demolished Kingspark school on Gillburn Road in Kirkton were overwhelmingly rejected by councillors on Monday evening.
Deputations from residents, whose ages ranged from 14 to retirement, “persuaded” members of Dundee City Council to refuse permission, despite the proposals being recommended for approval – subject to conditions – by council officers.
The objecting deputations believed should the decision not have gone in their favour, an audio recording might be submitted in evidence in any potential appeal to the Scottish government.
Fortunately for the opposing group the evidence will not be required this time around, however some councillors took exception with only being told moments before what they were going to say during the course of the meeting was going to be committed to tape.
Despite not objecting in principal to being recorded on the night, Lib Dem West End representative Bailie Fraser Macpherson said it would have been good practice to have been given notice in advance.
“We should have been advised,” he said.
“Being told at 6pm before a committee meeting starts is completely inappropriate.
“A substantial recording would help avoid doubt in the future and we do need to get to the stage where we record our meetings.”
Bailie Derek Scott, the Conservative Ferry ward representative, sought assurances recording a planning committee meeting by a member of the public was legal, which were given by council officers.
Secretary of the Kirkton Community and Safety Partnership Stephen Cragg, and his 14-year-old son Alex, presented deputations before the committee.
Mr Cragg senior said following the council’s decision that not building the homes was a victory for the residents of Kirkton and local democracy as a whole.
He said: “We are delighted with Monday night’s result, quite stunned to be perfectly honest.
“We did not hold out a high degree of hope.
“This is a victory for local democracy and it was good to see councillors stand up and honour their promises.
“You can only put so much development into an area before it fills up and we have taken, in Kirkton, our share.
“We had asked the council, back at the beginning of March, whether we could record the meeting and were told earlier on Monday morning permission had been given.”
Councillors voted 21 to three in favour of an amendment submitted by Bailie Macpherson to refuse the application.
Mr Macpherson, who was seconded by Strathmartine Labour representative Bailie Kevin Keenan, noted the application failed to comply with policies in the Local Development Plan in that the site was not allocated for housing.
Further to this, he argued the application would not contribute to the enhancement of open space and habitats in Kirkton, that it would result in the loss of trees in Kirkton and would increase traffic in the area.
