| The Scottish Government money will also be used to improve the appearance of the former ABB factory site in Kingsway East and improve access for pedestrians at the rear of Lochee High Street.
Dundee City Council’s planning and transport committee will be told that the schemes, along with 25 others, will be carried out in the next three years using £5.25 million from the vacant and derelict land fund.
The city is one of only five local authority areas in Scotland to benefit from the grant.
Committee convener Fraser Macpherson said, “Money from this fund has already helped the council to clean-up a number of empty and neglected areas around the city, and this boost will mean that work can be extended into other plots of land that need attention.
“I am particularly pleased to see landscaping and improvements at the former ABB factory in the plan. It is high-profile site on one of our ambassador routes into the city, and will benefit greatly from a face lift.”
SNP councillor Jim Barrie added, “I am particularly pleased that part of the money is to be spent on the landfill site at Riverside, where landscaping will be done to create opportunities for public access for the planned nature park to be opened as soon as possible. I, along with many other residents, cannot wait for this to materialise.”
Access to the former landfill site remains prohibited following a long-running dispute between the council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency over safety.
SEPA, which regulates waste management in Scotland, wanted pent up gas underneath the surface flared off before allowing access to the park.
But the council argued the process, which would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, was unnecessary and refused to do it.
The matter was referred to the Scottish Government, who has been deliberating over the issue for more than a year but is yet to reach a decision.
The cash boost will be welcomed by ramblers and nature enthusiasts across the city, who are keen to see the 86-acre site opened to the public.
Following its purchase of the former ABB factory last year, I&H Brown has undertaken extensive demolition works to clear the land and make it ready for redevelopment.
The 10-acre site is now being marketed by J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors.
Councillors will now consider a report by director of planning and transportation Mike Galloway laying out planned improvements to a significant amount of existing vacant and derelict land in the city.
The planning and transport committee will consider the report at its meeting on Monday. |
