Councillors in Dundee have been urged to reject plans to create nearly 100 new homes on the site of a former whisky bottling plant.
Persimmon Homes and site owner Bruce Linton want to create up to 84 homes on the site of the former Stewart’s Cream of the Barley plant at Kingsway Eas,t as they claim it is not suitable for industrial development.
But the local authority claims its proximity to Dundee’s port means it could make a “significant contribution to employment land” available in the city.
The 2.9 hectare site lies opposite the Kingsway East Fire Station and is bordered by residential properties on two sides.
The bottling plant has been demolished and only a few industrial units remain on the site, which was also used as a storage and distribution area during the recent Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Members of Dundee City Council’s planning committee have been urged to reject proposals for the development because they run counter to the local development plan for the area.
A report to go before committee on Monday states the area has been earmarked for industrial or other business use rather than housing, although the applicants state the size and shape make the site unsuitable for this use.
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However, Dundee City Council officers state: “The submitted supporting information only considers a limited number of redevelopment options and does not explore the viability of alternative industrial redevelopments.
“The site has been utilised for stone crushing and as a storage and distribution area for The Open golf tournament in recent months.
“This would support the position that the site can provide a viable location for industrial uses which are compliant with the site’s designation as a General Economic Development Area.”
The report concludes: “There are no material considerations that would justify approval of the application.”
In 2012, plans to redevelop the Stewart House site with social housing collapsed.
An application was made for 57 homes by James Keiller Estates Ltd, but residents expressed concerns about parking and traffic.
