Broughty Ferry councillor Derek Scott has defended his decision to move for the refusal of planning permission for a block of ”affordable” rented flats after the decision attracted strong criticism.
Conservative councillor Mr Scott who received the support of another dozen councillors on the development quality committee on Monday night has been roundly criticised by locals and the council’s housing convener.
A previous application for 18 flats had been approved with Mr Scott among those giving his backing but the revised plan for three fewer flats was rejected.
The plan, for 15 intermediate-rent flats to be built on the site of a row of lock-up garages, was blocked after Mr Scott pointed out it had changed considerably from the previous, successful application and was now too far outwith the local plan.
He said the main reason for his objection was the fact that a scaffolders’ yard, which was to be removed to build the 18 flats, was now retained in the new application, which would adversely impact on residents.
”That pushed it into refusal for me,” he said.
After the decision, the developers said the ”bizarre situation” now put a question mark over the development, while housing convener Jimmy Black, who voted in favour of the application, described it as a ”disastrous decision”.
The move has provoked outrage among Courier readers, who took to our website to register their anger.
Mr Scott said he stood by his actions, and explained: ”The existing consent already given in March was contrary to the requirements of the development plan but we went along with it as the scaffolding yard was to disappear.
”The revised plan, leaving in place the scaffolding yard, to my mind was too great a departure from the local development plan. I believe it would impact on the amenity of the existing residents and also the new residents which would overlook the yard.
”The main consideration when it comes to planning is the quality of the development. We have a local plan for good reasons and it’s in the interests of everyone that we have this.
”Of course we want to encourage construction but we have to ensure that it is good quality construction. The developers still have planning permission for 18 flats there and they can always go back and negotiate with the owners of the scaffolding yard, or appeal this decision.”