Family homes could finally be built in the grounds of a former mill owner’s mansion in Lochee.
A planning application has been submitted to the city council for the site at Pitalpin House, which was built in 1835 and was the home of James Donald, who made linens and art canvasses at the adjacent Pitalpin Mill.
Architects James Paul Associates held discussions with council planners on the proposed layout and design of the development more than two years ago.
They explained: “The intervening lapse in time from when these discussions took place and the application being lodged being as a result of the economic downturn which has affected the construction industry and house building in particular.”
Applicant Elizabeth Paterson is seeking permission for 18 houses with associated roads, drainage and landscaping.
In accord with a planning brief the council drew up several years ago to guide future developments, the proposals are for detached houses with three or four bedrooms with gardens.
Vehicle access would be via Portmore Place, avoiding the requirement to use the original drive from South Road, which is below standard and thought unsuitable for the number of houses proposed.
All the trees on the site that are subject to a tree preservation order would be retained and incorporated into the layout.
These would be supplemented with 21 additional trees.
The architects said: “A mixture of the existing stone walls and new timber fences form the site and house boundaries.
“The stone Walled Garden wall is to be repaired in stone on its original position and new stone piers added.
“A new gate to replicate the former gate to Pitalpin House is also proposed, again in its original position.”
The development will include an electric car charging point beside visitor car parking spaces.
There has already been extensive house building in recent years on the 5.6-hectare Pitalpin site, which lies east of Buttars Loan and south of Liff Road and was semi-derelict with former weaving sheds, stores and warehouses.
Pitalpin House itself is a listed building and has been converted into flats.
It was very unusual for a mill owner to have a home so close to his factory.
The mill passed through several owners, latterly William Halley and Sons, and manufacture changed from flax to jute and then rayon before the works finally closed in 1988.