Amongst concerns raised by residents then were longer response times, the rising population of the area served by Balmossie and the many elderly residents and care and nursing homes in the area.

But the proposal before the board today was similar to that rebuffed in March, and if adopted would see retained firefighters covering the Balmossie patch at night.

Meanwhile, as today’s meeting was in progress, Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie waded into the controversy, blasting fire chief Stephen Hunter for attempting to revive the issue.

He said the move was “inconceivable and ill-advised” and accused Mr Hunter of trying to “bully” it through.

Councillor Helen Oswald told the board today that although she admired Mr Hunter’s “determination”, she objected to the proposal being raised again so soon.

Mr Hunter said it was not a matter of personal determination — it was his professional advice.

Cllr Rod Wallace, who represents Balmossie, said his primary responsibility was to his constituents and he was ill at ease with the proposal to hold another consultation.

But the dissenters were voted down by six votes to 11 and the new consultation period will end on Feburary 19, with the future of the station being decided some time after that date.

Mr Hosie, meantime, was accusing Mr Hunter of “rising roughshod” over the wishes of the public.

“These proposals were almost unanimously opposed by the local community,” he said in a statement. “It’s clear a proposal that failed to convince the community last time is unlikely to fare any better now and will simply raise all the anxieties and fears again.

“He should not attempt to bully through these deeply unpopular proposals. He must listen to the public response rather than ignore it.”

Latest figures show Balmossie is by far the quietest fire station in Tayside, with an average of two overnight call outs each week and only three “significant” fires over a three-month period.