A “community hub” planned for a residential street in Dundee has been refused planning permission after residents convinced councillors it would have a detrimental effect on their lives.
The application, by The Po!nt charity, was unanimously rejected by the city council’s development management committee because it believed parking, vehicle noise and other quality of life issues would have an adverse impact on residents.
Despite 48 people objecting to the application, the plans to transform a former printing factory at Lintrathen Street into a centre offering youths training, counselling and teaching, along with a support service for people with drug and alcohol addictions, had been recommended for approval by planning director Mike Galloway.
Concerned residents had claimed the project was inappropriate for a quiet, family-oriented neighbourhood.
Councillors heard deputations from three residents opposed to the application, while applicants The Po!nt spoke in favour of the plan.
Ms Karen Kidd, said parking in the street was already a problem and this application would only add to it.
Alistair Burns said that as work had already been done to the premises, he felt it was “very much a done deal”.
Ken Field and Abby Aitken of The Po!nt told the committee that no drug addicts were to be treated on the premises and insisted the main aim of the centre would be to provide a place for young teenagers to connect with society.
They said music formed the number one activity at The Po!nt’s previous premises, which had been active for around seven years, and said the work carried out so far had been to soundproof it for musicians and bands, and was at the invitation of the building’s owner.
Mr Field said their activities were “more a community thing, re-educating and helping young people who have perhaps become lost in the system, helping them to retrain their thinking”.
However, when pressed by Councillor Jimmy Black, Ms Aitken admitted The Po!nt was a church and said they would be holding church activities on a Sunday night.
Lord Provost Bob Duncan said he felt the applicants’ answers were “vague”.
Bailie Wright moved refusal of the application on the grounds that the debate was not about the applicant’s charitable work, which she was sure was very admirable, it was about the negative effect on the environment and the local residents.
Councillor Kevin Keenan seconded the motion, saying members of the committee had to take into account the adverse impact it would have on the neighbours.