Plans for environment offices at Marchbanks recycling centre site

Council plans to build a £3 million environment headquarters at the site of Marchbanks recycling centre have led to a political row.

Dundee City Council’s administration has denied accusations Marchbanks was closed to make way for the new HQ, insisting the decision was motivated by annual savings of £316,000.

The new development, which is being proposed for vacant land to the south of Marchbanks, would house staff currently in offices on Clepington Road.

Councillor Richard McCready, Labour’s environment spokesman, said: “There was a promise to Councillor Ian Borthwick, who asked if there would be a review of the use of Marchbanks.

“But it seems to me increasingly clear that the council has got plans to build on the Marchbanks site.”

However, SNP environment spokesman Craig Melville said: “It was a decision that was taken because we’ve got to make £16m of savings. We operate two recycling centres in Dundee.”

The £3m investment is included in the council’s capital plan for 2012-16 under “redevelopment of environment department headquarters”.