V&A overshadowed in view from a distance

Sir, – I lived and worked in Dundee in the 1970s.

I couldn’t wait to leave. Then, the city was not a great place to be.

Fortunately, having retained friends in the area I have revisited regularly and in recent years was delighted to see the renaissance which was taking place.

The city was becoming unrecognisable from the ’70s and I began to wonder why I was in such a hurry to leave.

I was thrilled with the announcement of Kengo Kuma’s V&A and have watched with excitement as this emblematic phoenix rose from the ashes of Dundee’s depressed waterfront.

However, whilst visiting our friends in Dundee at the weekend my excitement turned to dismay and indeed anger.

In any other city the V&A would be complemented by wide open spaces, the aspects uninterrupted, all the better to appreciate what will surely become a world famous structure.

However, what have Dundee Council in their wisdom decided to do? They have given permission for a sixstorey office block to be built yards away, thus obscuring the view from Union Street and in general greatly diminishing the ability to appreciate the building.

I believe, many citizens of Dundee share our anger.

What is it about Scotland’s councillors and planners? Can they not take lessons from the great European cities and let their great buildings “breathe”?

Instead, it seems we must insist on squeezing the life out of any great architectural project in order to wring the last pound of commercial gain.

I despair. William Thomson. Lithgow Place, Denny.

Picture: Kris Miller. One correspondent is angry about the appearance of an office block in front of the new V&A.