A multi-million pound revamp of Broughty Ferry beachfront will go ahead in full after the Scottish Government stepped in to decide a planning row.
Locals residents had objected to council proposals to shut Mill Street, a one way route next to the Esplanade car park.
The upgrade is part of a £9 million coastal path project which aims to provide a continuous off-road route between Dundee and Monifieth.
Included is a plan to make the beachfront more accessible.
A planning review over Mill Street’s closure was escalated to the Scottish Government, with the project split into two parts and delayed while this was ongoing.
This allowed work at Broughty Castle to begin in April.
But now the Scottish Government reporter has approved the “stopping up order” for Mill Street, it means the renovations will now go ahead in full.
It means the street will be closed to traffic and used for cycling and walking.
A total of 28 objections were received, and the dispute was subject to a full hearing and report.
Included in the objections were questions over the necessity of the closure, and whether the project could be completed with Mill Street remaining open to traffic.
Addressing this issue, the reporter said that although the closure is not essential to the overall scheme, it is “highly desirable”.
A Dundee City Council spokesman welcomed the decision.
He said: “We note the findings of the Scottish Government reporter confirming the Stopping Order without modification on Mill Street, Broughty Ferry.
“This decision will enable development to progress on a cycleway, footpath and associated infrastructure at Castle Green Park and the Esplanade.”
Conversation