Two of Scotland’s leading housebuilders have lodged a planning application to build about 270 new homes on the eastern edge of Dundee a project which would create more than 200 jobs.
In what would be the city’s largest housing project for more than 10 years, Taylor Wimpey and Bett Homes want to develop about 50 acres at Linlathen Estate, North of the A92.
The site already has all major services and an existing separate access road, constructed several years ago by Dundee City Council and the landowner.
Bob Hyslop, managing director of Linlathen Developments, which is coordinating the project on behalf of the two housebuilders, said: “This site is ideally placed. All the planned renewable energy projects and enterprise zones will be in the East of the city and the council expects a number of them to come to fruition soon.
“A supply of new houses close by is essential for all those taking up the new jobs which will be created. On this site we can supply these homes very quickly.”
The proposed development is part of a strategy which brings Bett back to the city where the company was established more than 70 years ago.
It would also mark Betts’ return to Broughty Ferry and in particular the Balgillo area which the company developed between the 1960s and 1980s as the city’s major private residential area.
Bett land director Campbell Black said: “Although we are now part of Gladedale, the original aim of providing quality and value for money remain the same as they were in 1938.
“Linlathen is one of three sites we currently propose to develop in Dundee and we are excited by the prospect of returning to the community where it all started.”
Hugh Niven, the owner of Linlathen Estate, said: “When the A92 was being made a dual-carriageway Dundee City Council had the foresight to see the benefit of servicing a large site in a proven popular area of the city.
“They approached me, offering to share the cost of a new road over the Dighty into Linlathen to open it up for development.
“Services were installed at the same time. The council now has an opportunity to benefit from its investment and at the same time create construction jobs for an industry on its knees.”
Figures from accepted studies indicate that for each new house built, four jobs are created on and off-site. This equates to more than 200 jobs in the five years envisaged for the Linlathen project.
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland and Bett are also lodging a submission to alter the new Draft Development Plan for Dundee.
Although the Linlathen site is zoned for housing, the proposed amendment would allow the project to proceed more quickly.
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland technical director Derek Wilson said: “We are keen to make progress with this project as Dundee will soon need more homes in this part of the city.Given that Dundee City Council had the foresight to make the investment in the access road and services, we could realise this investment and start immediately should planning permission be granted.”
aargo@thecourier.co.uk