The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee waterfront job claims dismissed as ‘unbelievable’
Expert says not enough attention being paid to city’s problems
The £1 billion Dundee waterfront project has blinded the organisations steering the city’s economic regeneration, according to a leading Scottish economist.
Professor Tony Mackay believes there is a danger that Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise have “become distracted by the glamour” of the V&A Museum of Design-crowned development.
In their desire to see the waterfront succeed, the council and SE have “paid too little attention” to other parts of the local economy, he argued.
Prof Mackay continued: “An example of that is the lack of progress on a proposed City Deal for the Dundee region. A similar deal is now under way for the Glasgow region and agreement in principle reached in Aberdeen.
“However, there seems to have been little or no progress in Dundee, possibly because council officials and politicians have been devoting so much of their attention to the waterfront.”
The commentator said in his February report on the Scottish economy that the last month had seen positive and negative news from Dundee.
On the waterfront a £40 million hotel, office and flats complex had been designated for Site 6 and a £20m design and innovation quarter for Site 2.
Forth Ports had announced a £10m investment in quayside improvements at Dundee Harbour.
Negative factors included actual or potential closures and up to 400 job losses involving Flint Group, Elanco, Johnson Matthey and Bonar Yarns.
The waterfront development was very welcome but he believes forecasts that it will create 3,500 permanent jobs and raise Dundee’s annual economic output by £2.6 billion to be “wildly exaggerated”.
He feared strong competition in rig decommissioning and renewables markets from ports in the north-east of England could jeopardise the success of Forth Ports’ investment.
There will obviously be benefits from the waterfront development, but he stated “the claims that it will create 3,500 permanent jobs are unbelievable.
“In addition, the problems at the Flint Group, Elanco, Johnson Matthey and elsewhere might outweigh the actual positive impact,” he said.
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “Investment programmes are continuing throughout the city and we are committed to creating a variety of new opportunities for the people of Dundee.
“The construction industry is already benefiting from serious investment in our schools, leisure and social care facilities.
“We will soon have a £17 million state-of-the-art Regional Performance Centre for Sport which will provide a pathway for the development and participation in performance sport and encourage sportspeople of all abilities into the city. The city council and its partners are working hard to increase employment across a range of sectors and we are committed to protecting jobs and services.
“We are working closely with businesses to maximise Dundee’s growing potential.
“For example, Forth Ports recently announced investment to help Dundee become a major oil and gas decommissioning hub and offshore wind base.
“The consultation process has already begun to shape our next Local Development Plan which will map out Dundee’s future, giving businesses, individuals and developers the chance to have their say on key planning issues.”
The council remains committed to the City Deal and the spokesman added: “Everyone involved will be continuing in their efforts for the good of the city.”