The man behind a petition calling for the protection of one of Dundee’s most well-loved buildings has warned that the city needs to look beyond the V&A Museum.
Phil Doig’s online plea for the security of the city’s 56 Barrack Street building — the former home of furniture firm Robertson’s — has so far gained almost 700 signatures.
Home to Robertson’s for almost 130 years until the firm’s demise in 2011, plans have been lodged with Dundee City Council to turn the building into student accommodation.
The pre-planning application notice, lodged by Structured House Group (SHG), proposes to knock down part or all of the building down and replace it with student halls of residence, a restaurant and a cafe.
Angered by the proposal, Mr Doig, 41, insists the fact that hundreds of Dundonians have backed calls to maintain the property shows the strength of feeling towards the building in the city.
He also feels that consistent short-term thinking from Dundee City Council will lead to the city’s eagerly anticipated Waterfront development failing to fulfil its potential.
He said: “There’s far too much hope being placed on the V&A.
“Dundee has to have its finger in more than one pie.
“This building could go on to serve a wonderful purpose as an art deco museum, but it’s about going out and finding the right buyer.
“If the Waterfront development is just the V&A and that is all then people will jump on the train, see it and go home.
“It’s not just about one building.”
Mr Doig continued: “Dundee has to learn from Newcastle and what it did with its waterfront.
“There’s lots of short-term thinking that goes on in Dundee”.
Though he fears Dundee’s Waterfront development may not prove to be the revolutionary development that is hoped, it is the immediate future of 56 Barrack Street which currently concerns Mr Doig.
He explained: “There are only five art deco buildings in Dundee and if this building goes then that is one fifth gone in one blow.
“They’re planning to put more student halls in, but there’s more student flats than students in Dundee.
“It would be a short-term drastic measure.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “The building, which is in private ownership, is Category B listed and is also in the City Centre Conservation Area, both of which afford it a degree of protection.
“If and when a planning application is submitted to the council it will be given careful consideration.”
SHG were approached for comment.
