A “monstrosity” of a care home is to be built on the site of a long derelict industrial site despite neighbours’ complaints.
A proposed 41-apartment sheltered accommodation complex was approved for the former Scottish Water depot on Stobsmuir Road.
The development, which has pitched roofs reaching a maximum height of 12.3 metres, was described as “visually severe and overwhelming” by one neighbour.
At a meeting of Dundee City Council one objector who lives in nearby Lynnewood Place said: “They are creating a mammoth building in comparison to the tram depot next door.
“It will be 1.5 to 2 metres higher than the tram depot, 4.5 metres higher than the current Scottish Water building and five metres higher than most residential houses.”
She also claimed the building would obstruct views in the residential area and objected to the architecture, which she said is not in keeping with the neighbouring properties.
Councillors also acknowledged there were car parking issues in the area, however only 29 car parking spaces have been allowed for at the site.
Councillor Ken Lynn said he had a ‘great deal of sympathy’ with objectors, and called for the application to be refused.
He argued that just because people are old does not mean they do not own cars and could exacerbate the already problematic situation.
He said: “I do believe that this will lead to parking problems.
“My major issue is that we are being asked to approve 41 flats when there is really only room for 20.”
However, Councillor Jimmy Black insisted the site was in need of development.
He said: “We didn’t design the city for car parking spaces.
“If you reduce the size of the development below a certain level it becomes financially unviable.
“This is a derelict site has lain doing very little and looking very ugly.
“This will be attractive housing on one of the best bus routes into town.
“People who are going to live in it will be entitled to bus passes.”
Councillor Lynn moved for refusal but councillors voted to approve the development by 17 to 5.