Retailing in Dundee City Centre—The Future Introduction Dundee city centre plays an important role within the city of Dundee as a whole; within the new Dundee city region (see figure 1); and within the whole of the Scottish economy. In recent years, continuing improvements throughout Dundee, including in the city centre, have helped to improve Dundee’s role as one of the four main Scottish cities. Dundee city centre is home to many a range of sectors. Throughout the city centre there is housing, offices and other businesses, a range of leisure and heritage activities and retailing. Good transport links make the city centre accessible from the rest of Dundee and beyond. A map of Dundee city centre is shown in figure 2. (For the purposes of this project, it is assumed that the Victoria and Albert Museum will be opening a museum within the waterfront area of Dundee. This new museum is referred to as ‘V&A Dundee’.)
Figure 1 The Dundee city region (TAYplan 2009)
Dundee City Centre—The Vision Dundee city centre must continue to be the thriving heart of the city of Dundee. Continuing improvements over the next 5 years will ensure this. A vibrant city centre will help strengthen Dundee’s image throughout Scotland and the rest of the world. On‐going and future developments, such as the V&A Dundee and the redevelopment of the waterfront, will add to Dundee’s reputation as an important regional centre. In turn, this can help increase investment within Dundee and attract people to Dundee to live, work and enjoy leisure pursuits. Dundee city centre has a sustainable future. There is a wide mix of uses within the city centre, including commercial, leisure activities, housing and retailing. There are excellent public transport links to the rest of Dundee and to the rest of the United Kingdom. The compactness of the city centre means it is accessible on foot. The retail sector in Dundee city centre has an important role to play in supporting the city centre. Dundee has become a major shopping destination due to the strong existing retail sector. The retail sector provides employment, attracts visitors to Dundee and attracts investment to Dundee. The policies outlined here will ensure the continued vitality and viability of the retail sector in Dundee city centre in the future.
Wellgate Centre
McManus Galleries
Forum Centre
Overgate
V&A at Dundee Cultural Quarter
Boundary of Dundee city centre
Figure 2 Dundee City Centre
Policy 1
Policy 3
DUNDEE’S ROLE AS A MAJOR REGIONAL RETAIL CENTRE
PRIMARY RETAIL AREA
Dundee’s position as one of Scotland’s key shopping destinations must be supported. Any new or expanded retail developments in the Dundee, Perth, Angus and North Fife Strategic Development Planning Authority (TAYplan) area will only be considered if they do not detract from Dundee’s position as a major regional retail centre.
Policy 2
RETAIL DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT DUNDEE
Within the Primary Retail Area of Dundee city centre (as defined on Policy Map 2), Class 1 (shops) use will be encouraged on the ground floors of premises. Class 2 (financial, professional and other services) and Class 3 (food and drink) will be permitted providing • no more than two out of any seven adjacent ground floor premises are non‐Class 1 uses • no more than 35% of the total ground floor area of any seven adjacent premises is non‐Class 1 use, and • it can be demonstrated that the non‐Class 1 use will improve the overall environment for shoppers and will add to the vibrancy and vitality of the Primary Retail Area. Within the Primary Retail Area, change of use from Class 3 to Class 2 (normally permitted change) will only be permitted if the change conforms with the restrictions listed above. (Use Class Orders information from Scottish Executive (1997))
A sequential approach is to be applied when considering new or expanded retail developments throughout Dundee. Locations for such developments will be considered in the following order: 1. Dundee city centre 2. the edge of Dundee city centre 3. district shopping centres, as identified on Policy Map 1 4. other locations, provided a. the site is readily accessible by public transport, bicycle and/or on foot, and b. the proposed development does not damage the vitality and viability of the city centre or the district shopping centres.
Lochee Perth Road Hilltown Albert Street Broughty Ferry
Figure 3—Policy Map 1 District shopping centres (Dundee City Council 2005) TP31001 Territorial Planning and Development
Submitted by David Rennie
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