Green light for Dundee women’s custody unit

Plans to build a “game changing” woman’s custody unit in Dundee have been given final approval by councillors.The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) submitted plans for the community custody unit (CCU) on Nelson Street, at the site of the former Our Lady’s Primary School in the Hilltown area of the cityMore than 1,300 people signed a petition objecting the complex which will house up to 16 prisoners from Dundee and the surrounding areas, who have been assessed as suitable for reintroduction to the community.Coldside Labour representative Councillor George McIrvine put forward a motion to refuse the planning application on the grounds it would have an adverse impact on residents and lead to “an excessive concentration of non-mainstream residential uses to the detriment of the character of the area”.Further to this, he argued the development would not be compatible with the local schools and nurseries and the proposed site would be better used for conventional housing.The development had been recommended for approval by council officers, with executive director of city development, Robin Presswood, outlining it as an integral part of the Scottish Government’s strategy for dealing with women in custody.Councillors voted 19 to 10 in favour of the plans.The CCU will open in late 2020.