The patch of land on Eliza Street has been lying empty for decades and the proposal to build affordable homes is “much-needed” according to Alan Whitelaw of legal firm Eden Law.

The application was submitted to Dundee City Council as a joint application between Eden Law and Hillcrest Housing Association.

Mr Whitelaw told the Evening Telegraph: “This housing is much-needed in this area. It will be affordable and it will be economic social housing. Dundee needs more houses like this.”

A report from the Edinburgh-based architects McLaren Murdoch and Hamilton said: “The site comprises vacant ground forming most of a city block enclosed by Molison Street, Eliza Street, Dura Street and Mains Loan.

“It was cleared some years ago and has lain vacant, attracting fly-tipping and vandalism, symptomatic of problems across the Albert Street area.”

Plans to build homes on the site were first given consent in August 2005.

The plans consisted of the refurbishment of shops, flats and a children’s nursery but the houses which were included in the redevelopment were not built due to the economic downturn.

The report added: “The new-build element of the planning consent was not implemented because of the economic downturn and lack of funding.

“An existing brownfield site like Eliza Street close to the city centre and well-served by transport, schools and shops must be developed to its full potential to reduce waiting lists and meet housing needs.”