Historic Dundee textile works in danger of crumbling away through disrepair could be brought back to life as a hotel.
A planning application has been submitted to redevelop the Lower Dens Works in Constable Street, one of the most prominent former industrial sites in the city.
The Regal Property Group of Warwickshire want to turn the disused Bell Mill and North Mill, which share an elevated site overlooking East Port, into a three-star hotel.
Minor alterations would be carried out on the Category A listed building. Windows and doors would be replaced, there would be a new roof and a new facade would be built on the south side of the North Mill.
A high-level external lift and new lobby access would be added. There would be a gym, a conference room and lounge bar as well as the usual hotel facilities.
With three stars, the Lower Dens hotel would have the same rating as the Holiday Inn Express. In 2009 a planning application was approved to convert the works into flats but the project never went ahead because of the recession.
JM Architects of Edinburgh are acting for the Regal Property Group in plans to turn the complex into a hotel. No comment was available from them this week and it is not known if a hotelier has been identified.
Dr Nutan Subedi, chairman of Dundee Civic Trust, which cares for the city’s architectural and environmental heritage, said: “We will study this application on aesthetic and environmental grounds and come to a view which we will express to the city council.
“We are aware that Dundee needs more hotel beds as a result of the waterfront redevelopment, but we will look into this proposal before reaching a view.”
Alison Henderson, vice-president of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said: “We welcome any development or redevelopment.
“Projects like this bring local jobs and regenerating run-down buildings is definitely a good thing.”
The waterfront development team reckon the billion-pound decade of leisure and tourism spending following the completion of the V&A museum, will encourage investors and hotel operators to the city.
Consultants have predicted an additional 500 new hotel beds will be needed for the increase in demand, with the annual entertainment spend in the city centre expected to rise by at least £100 million.
Director of city development Mike Galloway said the surge in visitors meant up to five new hotels could be needed on top of an estimated 1,000 beds already available in the city, and the Malmaison, Custom House and railway station hotel sites in development and planning.
A hotel is also being considered for the filling station site on Marketgait West.