Dundee could discover in January if they’ll get planning permission for their proposed new stadium, according to the club’s managing director.
The long, drawn-out plans for a new facility at Camperdown Park are currently sitting with the council.
If approved, it would see the club clear a significant hurdle in their bid to leave the 125-year-old Dens Park, which is currently costing the Dark Blues £700,000 a year in maintenance fees.
STV News“We think we have a very good argument for the stadium,” said John Nelms, Dundee’s managing director.
“We have over 300 people who have put in letters of support for the stadium itself. We’re hoping in January of this coming year, we’ll have our hearing and then we’ll move onto the next step.”
A move away from Dens Park was first looked into back in 2016, with Camperdown Park soon identified as the ideal site.
Latest artist impressions outline a 12,500 seater stadium with a nearby hotel and restaurant.
Holmes MillerPlans no longer include a training ground, which will now be based at the city’s Riverside park after planning permission was granted last week.
“About 85% of letters of objections were focussed on having a training centre in the [Camperdown] park,” said Nelms.
“We’ve listened to them and worked with the SFA, the city council, and came up with a solution.”
The total development at Camperdown is estimated to cost £95m.
Nelms says he’s been “inundated” with potential funding options but admits he’s had to scale back his own ambitions for a completion date.
When asked if the previous 2025 target was no longer possible, the Dundee chief said: “That’s not going to be a reality.”
“I’m always pushing to get jobs done as fast as we can.
“At the time, when we were having our public consultation, we had hoped the planning part would be quicker than it was.
“But we have to respect the process and that’s where we are today.”
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