A PROPOSAL to build 15 affordable flats for rent in Broughty Ferry was finally approved by councillors last night.
The applicant Ferrier Holdings Ltd will work with the city council and the National Housing Trust to manage the flats in Churchill Place, east of Brook Street.
Occupants will be expected to pay a rent of around £92 per week well below the average rent for a two-bedroom flat in the area.
Planning permission had been granted previously for an 18-flat development but it was not possible to go ahead with this because a parcel of land needed could not be acquired from its owner at an acceptable price. Councillors then turned down the first application for the smaller scheme.
Ferry councillor Derek Scott again opposed the proposal last night, arguing that design changes made since did not go far enough.
There would still be problems with overlooking from windows and the design of the pair of three-storey blocks would dominate the streetscape.
He said: “I am still of the view that this development is not currently appropriate for the site.”
Housing convener Jimmy Black called for the application to be approved.
It was clear that demand for affordable housing in the Ferry was high and the proposal would provide attractive, energy efficient properties.
“Why wouldn’t we want to welcome this?” he said.
A planning agent for Ferrier Holdings said there would be only limited overlooking from two windows.
Replacing the lock-up garages in Churchill Place would rid the Ferry of a run-down area that attracted vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
A report by council planning officers said: “The council has had aspirations for many years to introduce affordable housing in Broughty Ferry but there has never been an opportunity to do so because of inflated land values and a very buoyant local housing market.”
The development management committee voted 15 to 10 to approve planning permission.
Members also voted 14 to 11 to deny retrospective planning permission for a cellar extension at 6 Bath Street, Broughty Ferry. The council will now seek to take enforcement action.
grsmith@thecourier.co.uk