Mill o’ Mains residents have said they want to see a community pavilion destroyed by fire replaced by building an extension to a primary school.
The pavilion was destroyed by the deliberate blaze in July 2017.
Dundee City Council offered residents the chance to have their say on three possible replacements earlier this year: using existing buildings, building an extension to Mill o’ Mains Primary School for community use or a community transfer of land.
Only the final option would see the creation of an entirely new building but the community would have to pay for construction of a new building itself.
A community consultation carried out last month saw residents overwhelmingly back plans to create the extension to Mill o’ Mains Primary School, despite protests from some residents claiming none of the options were acceptable.
It received 216 returns, 71% of the total vote.
There were 35 returns in favour of using existing buildings and just 13 in favour of a community transfer of land.
Residents were asked if they would prefer to use existing buildings, such as schools and sheltered housing complex
Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood services committee is being recommended to back the primary school option and the spending of £1.5 million, which would see community facilities included as an addition to planned upgrades to the building.
The extension would provide two activity rooms, a meeting pod, snack preparation area, toilets and a link between the gym hall and the community facility.
Space would be available to deliver a full community programme including youth work, children’s activities, community cooking and other services as identified by the community.
The committee will hear that the plans are indicative and would be used as basis to start a discussion with the wider community about design and the operation of the facility.
Neighbourhood services convener Councillor Kevin Cordell said: “There has been overwhelming backing from those who took part in the consultation for the primary school option.
“This represents a sensible investment for the future and will allow the school to become a real focal point for the wider community.
“We went through a rigorous appraisal process to agree the options that were presented to the community.
“I am pleased to see that there would be further discussions with the wider community to help plan the future for the new facility at the primary if it is approved.
“This will ensure that the facility at the school will tie in with what people want to happen in their neighbourhood and shape the way that the council helps deliver those services.”
Michelle Houston, from the Emmock Woods Residents’ Group, said: “The extension of Mill of Mains Primary School to include a community facility would be a positive and beneficial step for our area.
“This central facility could potentially be used by residents of all ages from all three areas for a variety of different classes and clubs. It would be welcomed by our residents.”
But Jim Malone from Mill o’ Mains Tenants and Residents’ Association said the true wishes of the community had been ignored.
Mr Malone, who ran as Labour’s candidate in the recent north east ward by-election, said residents had put stickers on their papers saying none of the options were wanted but these have not been counted.
“I would suggest this administration has abandoned the people of Mill o’ Mains,” he said.
“If the schools needs improved facilities we would welcome that but it doesn’t meet the requirements of the people of Mill o’ Mains.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said papers that did not specify one of the three options were counted as spoiled.
He said: “The opening of the ballot boxes and the envelopes was carried out by an independent verifier from Dundee Voluntary Action, who also oversaw the counting of the votes.
“Any ballot paper returned that did not indicate a preference for one of the three options was counted as spoiled.
“Delivery of the leaflets was carried out by a commercial company to all households and each envelope contained four voting slips.
“The consultation process was backed up with a series of information sessions that were held to allow people to make a choice and leaflets were made available across the area during the consultation.”
The committee will meet on Monday.
