The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Thousands of new jobs at waterfront
Developments expected to bring huge jobs boost
At least 17,000 jobs are expected to be generated from the development of Dundee’s waterfront.
Dundee Waterfront project coordinator Allan Watt said figures predicting thousands of jobs in construction, offices and coffee and restaurants are “modest”, and the jobs boom to the city could be far greater.
It is estimated there will be 7,000 current and future construction jobs generated by the various projects.
So far the development has created 640 non-construction jobs with a further 7,600 office jobs expected as well 1,200 workers in cafes and restaurants and 200 in hotels.
Mr Watt said: “These figures are modest. We have already surpassed the number for the number of hotel jobs for example. The construction jobs will only last for so long, but there is a lot of construction to be done.”
The figures do not take account of the Tay Cities Deal being approved, which could lead to further opportunities.
Discussions are under way with developers about many of the large plots still available.
Work has already started on site 6, opposite the V&A, which will be home to a Marriott hotel and offices. The framework for this building will be erected in the next three months.
It is expected that work on modern offices on site 2 – currently a car park between Thorntons and the railway station – will start in the second half of this year.
A planning application notice for site 10, opposite the Holiday Inn, is anticipated shortly, which will be for a mixture of residential, offices and possibly a hotel.
Site 12 in the development – which will be to the east of public open space beside the V&A – has also attracted developer interest.
It could become another hotel and more offices.
Mr Watt said: “Because we are the consenting authority and the landowners, developers are really attracted to that.
“It gives the developer a great deal of certainty.
“I think there is a cumulative element – developers are quite conservative, they wait for someone to make the first move and then they get confidence.
“For us it’s a balance between getting developments off the ground but also not being too hasty as we want to make sure we get what we think is right for the city.”