The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Crem plan vital for stadium project
Football club chief says ancillary developments also need to be approved
Dundee FC chief John Nelms has said plans for a new stadium at Camperdown Park will not go ahead unless surrounding developments are also approved.
The club wants to move to a new stadium on land next to the park.
However, they say it will only be financially viable if ancillary developments including housing, a crematorium and a hotel, are also given the go-ahead.
Speaking at a packed public consultation event on the proposed new stadium development, Mr Nelms, Dundee’s director of football operations, said the additional revenue streams generated by other projects would be crucial.
He said: “Everything has to be in place for it to happen.
“For it to be viable it will have to have all the bits and pieces.”
Mr Nelms also said the stadium could be used for concerts and other events when not being used by the football team.
He said: “The club will be based in the training area and it is a multi-use stadium so it will be able to host concerts that we have not been able to because of the capacity.”
Mark O’Connor from architects Leadingham Jameson Rogers and Hynd said transport options are being looked at but that a slip-road off the eastbound carriageway of the Kingsway is the most likely option.
He said Dark Blues Properties Ltd, which owns the land adjacent to Camperdown, is seeking planning permission in principle before submitting a full planning application to Dundee City Council.
He said the proposed crematorium would be sheltered from the stadium by the natural slope of the land.
“The crematorium would be closed when matches were happening,” said Mr O’Connor.
According to the plans for the stadium, walls, hedges and tree canopies would be used to create “an introspective space” around the crematorium.
They acknowledge that while “the proposals run counter to the local plan in some respects” they believe the development offers a “wider benefit to the club, the surrounding communities and wider city.”
The stadium will have a capacity of 15,000, with the two main stands offering seating for 4,500 spectators and another 3,000 at either end.
But he was unable to say when they hope construction work would begin due to the complexities of the planning process.
Dozens of fans packed into the public consultation when it opened at Dundee Ice Arena yesterday.
Response from supporters was largely positive with most accepting that Dens Park is getting close to its sell-by date.
However, some people raised concerns about the plans to create training pitches on land in Camperdown Park owned by Dundee City Council.
David Hughes, who lives in Camperdown Park, said: “The stadium doesn’t bother me but what does is they are looking to take over part of Camperdown Park, which belongs to the people of Dundee.”
For it to be viable it will have to have all the bits and pieces. JOHN NELMS