Featured image credit: Dundee FC
Scottish Premiership club Dundee FC has confirmed the submission of Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) documentation for its proposed new stadium, with the country’s football authorities lining up behind the project.
Dark Blue Property Holdings (DBPH), the club’s ownership group, has entered the documentation with Dundee City Council. Today’s (Friday’s) announcement comes after Holmes Miller Architects were appointed in December to begin work on designing a new stadium that will replace Dundee’s home since 1899, Dens Park.
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 Park. At the time, it was said that a PPiP application covering the proposals would be lodged in January.
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 a subtle but significant nod to Dens Park. 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 renowned 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 (SFA) and SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) 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.”
The stadium will be the centrepiece of a mixed-use destination featuring a 120-room hotel with health and wellbeing facilities, a Dundee FC training centre, residential development, and city crematorium.
Tim Keyes and Nelms, the owners of Dundee FC, completed the purchase of Dens Park in October through their DBPH company. DBPH purchased Sandeman Properties, which owned the stadium, from John Bennett, who bought Dens Park in 2009 in a deal that played a key role in keeping Dundee alive as the club experienced financial difficulties.
Dundee said the purchase of Dens Park marked a significant step forward in the process of the club moving away from the stadium to a new home near Camperdown Park. Dundee, which has played at the 11,850-capacity Dens Park since it opened in 1899, revealed plans for a new stadium in March 2022.
Ian Maxwell, SFA chief executive, said today: “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.”
If approved by Dundee City Council, Dundee FC’s move is set to bring an end to the current situation where its home and that of arch rival Dundee United, Tannadice Stadium, are located just 200 yards apart.
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