Dundee councillors have been criticised for approving too many out of town developments, harming efforts to revive the city centre.
Members of the Dundee Civic Trust have cautioned councillors for slipping away from their own ‘Town Centres First’ policy.
SNP city convener Mark Flynn said earlier this month that policy remains at the heart of the administration’s ambition to breathe new life into the city centre.
It is supposed to ensure new shops and cafes near major roads on the periphery of the city do not take trade away from the centre.
Yet a slew of newer developments are appearing to pull residents, shoppers and other visitors in the opposite direction.
They include the retail park at West Gourdie Industrial Estate, approved in 2020, the Lidl supermarket at Kingsway East, Aldi at West Pitkerro.
Members of the trust raised the issue in their response to the council’s recent consultation on the future of the city centre.
Dundee city centre retail deserves ‘vital’ support
Chairman Donald Gordon wrote: “It is vital that retail development in the city centre is supported, in order that Dundee remains the regional shopping centre for much of Tayside and north Fife. With all the spin-off in employment and support for services that this brings.
“In particular, this means strict adherence by Dundee City Council and surrounding authorities to the Town Centres First Policy.
“We are concerned that many recent planning approvals are contrary to this policy.”
Councillors will ultimately judge whether to approve Dundee FC’s plans for a stadium complex at Camperdown.
Plans currently include substantial amount of space for “mixed commercial” use, raising fears this could also have a future impact on city centre businesses.
Council’s vision for city centre
Councillors recently agreed the last draft of the City Centre Strategic Investment Plan (CCSIP) and are consulting on the final document.
It sets out a vision for the city centre as “an exciting, growing place to live, work and visit.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “We appreciate the time and effort that is being taken by a variety of organisations, businesses, individuals and other interested parties to engage with the consultation exercise on the final draft.”
He suggested the plan, when complete, would help councillors make decisions on approving future retail outlets.
“When the consultation is complete the finalised plan will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications,” he added.
