Dundee F.C. owner Tim Keyes is frustrated with the slow progress on the new stadium project. However, the club reassures fans that the dream of relocating the Dark Blues from Dens Park will not be abandoned.

Plans for a multi-purpose complex

Earlier this year, a fresh vision for the Camperdown Stadium Development was presented by Holmes Miller Architects. The new Dundee stadium will feature a safe-standing area, active concourse zones, and LED screens. The seating capacity is planned to be only slightly larger than at Dens Park, with 12,500 seats, adding just 725 more. The venue is also intended to serve as a concert hall. Camperdown Stadium Development is much more than just a football stadium.

The complex will include a multi-use event space for up to 1,000 people, a brewery, a 120-room hotel, the Dundee F.C. training center, residential housing, and a city crematorium. There will also be new public landscaping, a dedicated bus terminal, a cycling hub, and electric vehicle charging stations.

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Despite announcements, construction has not started

It was initially reported that a general planning permit covering all of these elements would be submitted by January. John Nelms, Dundee's co-owner and managing director, also announced that preliminary plans set the construction to begin in late summer or early autumn 2024, with Dundee F.C. playing their first game in the new stadium in the summer of 2025. It’s going to be costly; I can’t say exactly how much. We’re in the planning phase, and it’s around £10 million more than originally estimated. With our investments, equity, and available amenities, we believe we’ll manage, Nelms told the BBC in January.

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City authorities delay the decision. Will it happen next year?

Originally, Dundee City Council was set to issue a decision on the Camperdown Park construction plan during a session scheduled for August 12. However, this agenda item was postponed and was neither discussed on September 9 nor in November. A few days ago, John Nelms informed that the club now expects the hearing with Dundee City Council to be deferred until January, despite having submitted the preliminary construction application ten months ago. The club's American owners have been working on the project since 2017.

I can see that Tim Keyes is frustrated, and he and I share the same frustration, Nelms told The Sun. The process of securing a building permit is lengthy and complex, involving multiple elements. Traffic Scotland must be assured that these plans are feasible and will not cause significant disruptions on the roads. Nelms also believes that strict Scottish regulations make executing large projects challenging. He is convinced, however, that Dundee authorities have done as much as possible to address the council’s questions and consider the needs of the local community.

© Holmes Miller Architects