Author: Neale Elder

Dundee Civic Trust has considered the planning application in principle (24/00096/PPPM) for construction of a new football stadium and other works at Camperdown.

We recommend the application be refused in that the proposals are unacceptable, particularly in context of the following points:

• the planning requirements of the national planning framework (NPF4) and the local development plan (LDP2);
• traffic safety and congestion;
• the unsuitable siting of the hotel, crematorium and residential development;
• the unambitious plans for renewable and sustainable energy;
• the use of part of Camperdown Park.

You can read our detailed response here.

Dundee Civic Trust has a deep interest in the development of convivial 20 minute neighbourhoods in our city – but what do these places really look like and how do they work? What are the opportunities and barriers involved?  Come and find out at the V&A on Friday 19 April 2024. This event has been organised by Dr Husam AlWaer from the University of Dundee and the Urban Design Group.

More information about the event can be found here.

A much anticipated planning application in principle has now been submitted by Dark Blue Property Holdings Limited for the development of a new Dundee FC football stadium at Camperdown Leisure Park, west of the Dundee Ice Arena.

While part of the planned complex encroaches upon the southern part of Camperdown Park, much of the site takes up what were once the National Cash Register recreation grounds (pictured). The remains of the bowling green and tennis courts may still be seen.

See application reference 24/00096/PPPM on the Dundee City Council website.

In addition to the main stadium the application proposes training facilities and pitches, along with other mixed uses. These include housing and apartments, a hotel with ground floor commercial accommodation, a restaurant and an extension to the ice arena, together with new access roads (including a new access/exit from Kingsway West), parking and associated landscaping and engineering works.

The Trust will be scrutinising these revised proposals closely, having previously expressed concerns regarding the access and traffic implications; and the impact of the associated commercial and housing uses on existing district centres and on Camperdown Park.

Comments to the Council have to be submitted by Sunday 24 March.

Our latest packed edition features our detailed responses to the Eden Project planning application and Dundee City Council’s Sustainable Transport Delivery Plan, along with much else.

Open this page and read all about it by clicking here.

The Civic Trust has lodged a detailed response to Dundee City Council in respect of the planning application for the Eden Project (reference 23/00814/FULM).

Our overall view of the proposals is, understandably, positive and supportive. Most of our concerns rest in the areas of transportation and accessibility of the site. A number of issues will need to be ironed out to prevent avoidable difficulties.

You can read our submission here. Our thoughts on the planning application (in principle) for a pedestrian and active travel bridge spanning East Dock Street and the railway can be seen here.

We note an application to redevelop the site of the former drill hall on the north-west corner of Douglas Street and Brown Street.

The existing two-storey building was, according to the inscription on its south gable, built in 1909 for the City of Dundee Territorial Force. It survived as a Territorial Army Centre up to the 1960s, before becoming business premises and latterly a nightclub. While unlisted, the building falls within the Blackness Conservation Area and special consent for its demolition is required.

The proposed replacement is a seven-storey building housing 63 affordable flats and ground floor workshops. The design appears to be unremarkable, apart from a plan to save and incorporate five small architectural features from the original building in the south and east elevations.

Planning references are 23/00852/FULM for the new development; and 23/00853/CON for demolition in a Conservation Area.

Comments can be submitted to Dundee City Council until 26 January.

December 2023 sees two planning applications lodged with Dundee City Council in respect of the proposed Eden Project.

23/00814/FULM is the full application addressing the main Eden development on the gas works site between East Dock Street and Broughty Ferry Road.

23/00813/PPPL seeks planning permission in principle for a landscaped bridge to facilitate pedestrian and active travel access between the Eden Project site and East Camperdown Street. This bridge would cross East Dock Street and the railway.

The deadline for comments is 5 January 2024. The Civic Trust’s planning group is getting to work scrutinising the large number of associated documents, which you may view by clicking on the links above.

To mark our fiftieth anniversary, Dundee Civic Trust’s popular annual journal ‘City Scene’ has been renamed ‘Civic Dundee’. This 2023 issue contains a rundown of our Awards past and present, as well as a host of other fascinating material about the city.

Members can look forward to their free copies soon. Get a taste of the diverse contents here.