New student accommodation recommended for approval despite objections in Dundee

Plans for a new five-story student flat development look set to be approved by councillors – despite a raft of objections.

If given the green-light, a block of 98 studio apartments planned for Douglas Street would be built beside the already approved student flats on Brown Street.

Each studio would include a bed, kitchen facilities, study area, bathroom and storage space.

The plans are to go before councillors at a planning committee on Monday – with the bid recommended for approval.

A statement, submitted to Dundee City Council by Scott Hobbs Planning on behalf of Glenmore Student Property Limited, said there is an unmet demand for student accommodation in the city.

Research from the developers found Dundee has 14,570 students living away from home, meaning there is an “unmet demand” of 9,544 students unable to access purpose-built student accommodation.

The statement said: “The demand for student accommodation in Dundee has the potential to create a serious issue for students and residents of the city as more students will be moving into residential tenements/properties.

“Therefore contributing to much higher-than-average rental increase in other types of accommodation.”

If given the green light, the new development would be an extension of the student flats found on 56 Brown Street that are near completion.

Both builds would share facilities and amenities, with ideas of integrating both sites.

However, 15 letters of objections have been submitted to the local authority.

The concerns raised included worries the development would have a detrimental impact on established businesses found on the site, as well as parking in the area.

The council have also said the bid “does not fully comply” with the city development plan.

But despite this, council chiefs have recommended approval be given – adding there are “material considerations of sufficient weight” that would justify the bids approval.

The proposals will go before councillors at a planning committee on Monday.