A proposed eight-storey block of flats at the heart of Broughty Ferry would “stick out like a sore thumb”, according to a community councillor.
Property developer Michael Johnston unveiled his ambitious £8 million plan to commemorate those who died in a Broughty Ferry lifeboat disaster with 23 high-end apartments called Mona Mews.
The flats are proposed for a vacant piece of land on Brook Street near the Bruach restaurant.
But David Hewick, planning secretary for Broughty Ferry Community Council, admitted his surprise at the scale of the plans.
He called the idea “controversial”, and said: “That site has recently been included in a conservation area, so there are much more controlled guidelines than there were previously. He will have to take that into account.
“There is a tendency to avoid flats if possible, which is another thing to take into account.
“I don’t think eight storeys would suit the surrounding buildings. It would be particularly extraordinary to have one of these.
“You would really have to try to match the surrounding types of buildings. A lot of them are of a traditional design.
“Eight storeys seems a little ambitious.”
While Mr Johnston’s plans have not yet been submitted to the city council, he says he wants to make it the most prominent building in the Ferry.
He believes it would be a “tremendous opportunity to bring people to Broughty Ferry”.
But Mr Hewick added: “I can’t speak for the planners, but I think they would scrutinise this very closely.
“The trouble at the moment in the Ferry is affordable housing, but I suspect this might not be affordable housing.
“There are a lot of flats around and that’s why they don’t want too many more.
“It’s debatable as to what should be on that site but certainly something more appropriate. This would stick out like a sore thumb.”