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Dundee’s ‘Berlin Wall’ could be torn down after residents take fight to council

The wall, which towers over gardens in the street, could be torn down. Image: Kim Cessford / DCT Media.
The wall, which towers over gardens in the street, could be torn down. Image: Kim Cessford / DCT Media.

A “giant” boundary given the nickname “Dundee’s Berlin Wall” by local residents could be torn down like its famous namesake after a council investigation.

Residents at Mains Drive previously complained the structure was far bigger and steeper than was agreed in the planning process and left their gardens feeling like a prison courtyard.

And now Councillor Ken Lynn says he has spoken to council officers who believe the developer, which is building more than 200 homes next to the street, has “breached planning control”.

‘You would have to abseil down it to maintain it’

Mr Lynn said: “It’s meant to be a green wall which means it gets planted.

“But how could you do that with what looks like a cliff face? You would have to abseil down it to maintain it, as one resident put it.

“It’s very, very imposing.

Residents of Mains Drive next to a section of the wall. Image: Kim Cessford / DCThomson.

“I’ve been speaking with council officers for weeks about this and they have now confirmed they believe there has been a breach of planning control.

“They will now weigh up whether to take enforcement action against the developer.”

Claims wall blocks sunlight

Residents spoke out against the “imposing” height of the wall in September and compared it to the concrete barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989.

They said it blocked a huge amount of daylight from reaching their gardens and windows and claimed the developer had not followed the gradient stipulated in planning documents.

Mr Lynn added: “My sympathy here lies with the residents. It appears this boundary is not what was agreed.

“I’m sure many would have objected if this was what the designs looked like.”

Planning requirements to be reviewed by housebuilder

As part of enforcement action the council could demand the developer, Barratt and David Wilson Homes, tears down the wall or reduces the gradient.

It’s understood Dundee City Council and Barratt are due to meet at the beginning of December to discuss the issue.

The firm, which has permission to build 223 homes at the former Keiller Factory site, said: “We are aware of the recent communication from Dundee City Council, and are seeking a meeting at the earliest convenience to review the planning requirements. We look forward to resolving their concerns.”

The boundary wall towering above gardens on Mains Drive. Image: Kim Cessford / DCT Media.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “We are looking into this and are in discussions with the developers.”

It comes just a month after the firm mistakenly dug up a nearby landowner’s path and car park while working on the same development.

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