Airport upgrades and yacht marina central to proposals

A new yacht marina and upgrades to radar equipment at the city’s airport are among the flagship proposals for Dundee.

Plans suggest an “appropriate” scale of investment to enhance the city’s airport, including short-term investment in upgraded radar and lighting equipment.

In December last year, Flybe formally suspended its service to Amsterdam, blaming radar coverage.

West End councillor Fraser Macpherson is pleased to see the plans for the airport.

“Improved radar at Dundee Airport is welcomed,” he said. “No doubt, radar equipment needs upgrading and that is a very welcome part of the much bigger proposal.”

A new private and public sector partnership, Dundeecom, also aims to create a major centre in Scotland for oil and gas decommissioning at the Port of Dundee

Other proposals listed in the document include an initiative to boost marine tourism, including a Dundee marina with 300 to 400 berths.

Meanwhile, there will also be a series of projects aimed at boosting Dundee’s cultural scene.

Studio Dundee will focus on the creation, acceleration and nurturing of creative industries and entrepreneurial talent.

The space will be offered to artists and creators under a monthly membership model.

Local artist Suzanne Scott said: “As an artist currently looking for studio space, it is apparent that Dundee doesn’t have enough good quality affordable spaces for creatives, so I think this is a wonderful idea.”

Jenny Mara, North East MSP, said: “It is very good news that decommissioning for Dundee is a key ask in the City Deal bid. I have campaigned hard for a number of years now to bring decommissioning to Dundee and for Decom investment to be included in the City Deal bid.”

Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East, added: “It is great to see this milestone in the process being reached, but there remains much to do and we will now await the response from both governments.”

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild said :”For Dundee, a lot of the work has already been done so this is a bonus.”