Dundee FC have been granted permission to demolish the entrance to the former NCR building as part of the club’s plans for a new stadium.
The Dees are currently developing ambitious proposals for a 15,000-seater stadium near Camperdown Park.
Though the wider plans are still at an early stage, the proposed site would need to be cleared – including the frontage of the former NCR factory.
Dundee had to ask for planning permission as the structure is B-listed.
The club have now been given approval by Dundee City Council – meaning their focus can turn to submitting full, detailed plans for the stadium.
The development next to Dundee Ice Arena would also consist of 210 homes, a hotel, a crematorium and restaurants.
History of NCR building
The NCR frontage, which has been derelict for a number for years, sits prominently next to Dundee Ice Arena and Camperdown Leisure Park.
It was the frontage of the NCR factory, built in 1947, whose workers developed one of the first ATMs.
The company, full name the National Cash Register Company, was one of the city’s biggest employers with more than 6,000 staff at its height in the early 1970s.
It was the first factory in Scotland to be occupied by an American company after the Second World War and was important in the plan to boost the UK’s battered economy.
From 1986, the building was occupied by Van Leer Tay for the manufacture of polypropylene bulk bags.
The rest of the building was demolished many years ago but despite permission also being granted for demolition of the entrance/boardroom block, it was never touched.
What have Dundee said about this part of the plans?
Dundee-based LJRH Architects submitted the request to demolish the building on behalf of Dark Blue Property Holdings Ltd, a company jointly owned by Dundee’s American directors John Nelms and Tim Keyes.
In a statement, the architects argued the demolition is justified because of its planning history.
They pointed to a now-expired decision in 2010 to approve demolition, which stated there was a “considerable reduction in its special interest”, after the rest of the factory was flattened.
This decision also said re-use of the building in the short term was “extremely unlikely” and its condition would more than likely continue to deteriorate.
A supporting statement by LJRH Architects for the latest demolition plans said: “We would submit
that in the intervening 13 years, the building has deteriorated further and the likelihood of the potential to restore and re-use the building has subsequently diminished further.”
A large mural once attached to the building, showing an interpretation of Dundee in a contemporary and historic context, has already been removed by the company and is in safe storage.
What next for Dundee stadium plans?
Dundee have so far only submitted a proposal of application (PAN) notice to Dundee City Council for the development of the new stadium.
It sets out in general what the development would include but does not go into specifics.
As part of the PAN process, the club must hold a public consultation to gather views before submitting full, detailed plans.
The first consultation event is planned for The Landmark Hotel on Kingsway West on Monday September 26, from 2-7.30pm.
The second will take place virtually on Monday October 24 at the same time, which will be free to access online.
Club chiefs have yet to confirm definite timescales for the project – but Nelms previously said he wanted to see the Dark Blues in their new stadium by 2024.
4 steps Dundee chiefs must go through to get new stadium approved
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