Dundee FC submits plans for new stadium

Article posted by Coliseum, February 14^th, 2024

Image: Dundee FC

Scottish Premiership club Dundee FC has submitted a planning application for a new stadium complex at Camperdown in the city.

The club said it has the backing of the Scottish FA and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) for the Camperdown Stadium Development project.

Earlier this month it was announced that Holmes Miller Architects has been appointed by Dundee FC to begin work on designing the new stadium.

‘Holmes Miller Architects’ stated that the project will see the development of plans for a proposed new, state-of-the-art stadium as part of a mixed-use development at Camperdown to replace the club’s current home of Dens Park, which dates back to 1899.

Both the Scottish FA and SPFL have welcomed the plan to relocate from Dens Park to a state-of-the-art stadium and campus at Camperdown Park.

The stadium will be the centerpiece of a mixed-use destination featuring a 120-room hotel with health and wellbeing facilities, a Dundee FC training center, residential development, and a City crematorium.

These will be crafted within new landscaped public realm served by a dedicated bus terminal, cycle hub and electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities to create a well-connected new district of Dundee.

Dark Blue Property Holdings have now submitted Planning Permission in Principle documentation for the scheme to Dundee City Council, a significant step towards making the exciting vision shared with fans at the end of last year a reality.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive, said, “Dens Park has been an iconic Scottish football stadium for more than 100 years and while fans of all generations will cherish their favourite memories inside the stadium, we understand the club’s wish to future-proof their home and improve the matchday experience for supporters for the next 100 years.

“The Scottish FA is supportive of plans that will improve club infrastructure, the supporter experience and the image of the national game.”

Neil Doncaster, SPFL Chief Executive, added: “Any club that seeks to invest in improving infrastructure to this scale deserves enormous credit. This project is ambitious and one that has been worked on for some time by the owners.

“The SPFL supports efforts to enhance the Scottish football experience for the hundreds of thousands of fans who attend matches on a weekly basis.”

The stadium will have a capacity in excess of 12,500 and is designed to host music concerts and other major entertainment events.

Plans also include a safe standing area in the home end, installation of state-of-the-art LED screens, and tiered hospitality offerings for all fans to enjoy as part of the experience, including a 250-capacity brew hall.

Dundee fans will also notice the subtle but significant nod to Dens Park, the club’s home since 1899. Incorporated within the distinctive main stand entrance is the iconic ‘chevron’ design, in homage to the unique dimensions of the Main Stand at Dens created by the legendary architect Archibald Leitch.

John Nelms, Managing Director of Dundee FC, said, “Today is a significant milestone in our stadium development plans. Thanks to the help of our expert planning team, architects and the wider group involved in the project, we have submitted an extensive document requesting Planning Permission in Principle.

“We look forward to sharing more details with supporters during this process and engaging with Dundee City Council to bring the vision to reality. We are grateful, too, to the Scottish FA and SPFL for their support.

“We have also been encouraged by our engagement so far with the local authority, who are on record as saying that they are supportive of developers who want to play a part in the regeneration of Dundee and that they will work to remove any barriers.”

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