A historic Dundee building is again at the centre of a planning application that if approved will result in the demolition of its C-listed facade.
Applicant Rowarth Ventures plans to build five homes and two flats with associated car parking at the former Tay Rope Works on 51 Magdalen Yard Road. It is the latest in a long line of applications to build homes on the site which overlooks Magdalen Green, the River Tay and Fife.
The plan has yet to go before the city council’s planning committee but could run into stiff opposition if previous applications are anything to go by.
Failed attempts to develop the site have been rejected by the council to the relief of many residents who were concerned, among other issues, that additional homes would exacerbate the area’s traffic flow and parking problems.
West End Community Council, which has objected to previous plans to develop the works, says it will not set out its position this time until the full drawings have been viewed.
“The developers have sent plans to the community council but they are not the full plans,” said Andrew McBride, community council chairman. “We will get this from the council and until we see this we will not be in a position to comment.”
The building dates back to 1837 and evidence of its rich ropemaking history remains evident with words inscribed over the entrance. In 1987 its facade was listed by Historic Scotland, which confirmed it had not yet been consulted over the plans.
A spokeswoman for the body said, “Applications for demolition of a category C(s) listed buildings are dealt with by the local authority. If consent for demolition is granted, the application is then referred to Historic Scotland for final consideration.”
Previous plans to develop the site have been thrown out by the council as well as split opinion among locals. In 2008 former developer Duncarse saw its plans for 11 flats and three houses rejected by councillors.
Duncarse folded in 2008 with all assets and land owned by the firm, including the former Tay rope works, sold off by administrators to pay its creditors.