A DUNDEE developer has launched an appeal against the city council’s refusal of his plans to convert a disused office block into a nursery.
Derek Souter, of Blackscroft Properties, said he has “significant concerns” at how the council has come to its decision.
He unveiled his objections to the refusal to the Tele today, saying he was formally appealing the decision to turn down planning permission for the nursery.
Mr Souter had applied to the council to convert the B-listed building at 57 Blackscroft into a £200,000 childcare facility.
However, the council refused the application amid concerns about the environment and parking.
Gregor Hamilton, the council’s head of planning, said: “The proposed development does not provide an acceptable level of environmental quality. And the proposed parking arrangements adversely impact on the road and pedestrian safety.
“Also, the split level nature of the application site and the omission of external ramps between Foundry Lane and the nursery entrance is not accessible and fails to satisfy two requirements.”
However, Mr Souter said that a children’s nursery was a much-needed facility in this under-provided part of the city.
He added: “The site has been assessed in detail and consideration of the relevant planning policies and material considerations has occurred and clearly it can be demonstrated that the proposal meets the criteria given.
“I’ve significant concerns relating to the decision reached by the officers as outlined in both the decision notice and the report of handling produced.
“The latter is punctuated by a patent lack of relevant assessment to reach the stated conclusions and an array of subjective claims, which leads to a conclusion without a justifiable basis. There are no public objections to this application and no objections from any of the consultees.”
He said demand for the facility was high and added: “I think the concerns expressed and the related impact are subjective and misinformed. This proposal represents a sustainable re-use of an old building which has outlived its purpose and acts as a catalyst for regeneration.”
Dundee City Council has been approached for comment but had not done so at the time of going to press.