The body which cares for Dundee’s architectural heritage has said the latest review of the city centre conservation area is of vital importance for the future.
Dr Nutan Subedi, chairman of Dundee Civic Trust, said that with the redevelopment on the waterfront, it is important the shaping of the central area exercise is properly approached.
“We have a duty to take care of the city centre and to protect and preserve all that is good in it,” he said.
“The conservation of the city centre is very important and the trust will certainly be taking time to scrutinise the proposals.”
The appraisal of what is essentially the area within the inner ring road has been approved by Historic Scotland and is now open for public examination.
Local authorities have powers to designate zones recognised for their architectural or historic interest and worthy of preservation or enhancement.
Dundee has 17, with the city centre its most prominent. The designation allows the council to ensure new development will not have a negative impact on the appearance of the area.
Conservation area status does not rule out new developments but can help produce high design quality to make sure the special character of the area can be preserved.
Dundee’s central conservation area features various buildings of historic or architectural importance, including the McManus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tay Hotel, Custom House and the City Churches.
It is characterised by its shopping thoroughfares and largely pedestrianised streetscape and boasts examples of Medieval, Gothic, Victorian, Edwardian, arts and crafts, art deco, neo-classical and contemporary architecture.
There are also 13 buildings which are classified as being at risk. They are vacant with no identified new use, suffering from neglect or structural problems, unsecured and open to the elements or threatened with demolition.
Those in the poorest condition include St David’s Halls, at the rear of 84-90 Nethergate, the Pearl Assurance Buildings in Meadowside and the King’s Theatre in Cowgate.
Of the changes, it is proposed the boundary around the Overgate be re-drawn to include St David’s Halls and the ground behind it.
Other proposals concern small boundary realignments to the rear of the buildings on the corner of Seagate and Commercial Street and the site of the former Podium Block to protect the character of Caird Hall.
It is intended the zone should be extended outside the inner ring road to include Custom House and its precincts the site of a proposed hotel to protect the building’s setting.
Another change is to include areas east and north of Dundee House, taking in Lindsay Street Mill, Strathmore Lodge, Sheriff Court and the view up North Lindsay Street and the Abertay University buildings to retain the educational character of the area and the view up Constitution Road.
Also included is St Andrew’s Church and hall, the buildings opposite in King Street, Magnum House and the Sea Captain’s House.
The public can study the proposed changes at Dundee House up to the end of January.