The V&A in Dundee project has reached a “significant milestone” with the city council’s development management committee unanimously approving planning permission for the waterfront site.
V&A director Philip Long said Monday evening’s decision reflected ”the tremendous amount of work” already carried out by everyone involved in the project and paves the way for the next steps in the process to bring the £45 million museum to life.
It is being designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and will extend out into the Tay from a site just east of Discovery Point. The museum will be the focal point of the central waterfront regeneration and is expected to attract 500,000 visitors in its first year.
Despite its massive importance to the city, the application was steered through committee in a relatively low-key manner. Only Councillor Laurie Bidwell asked for clarification on two points.
His questions about the slipway at the site, which is used by lifeboat crews, and finished floor levels at the V&A were answered by officers at the meeting.
Mr Long said: ”We are delighted that planning permission has been granted. This is obviously another significant milestone for the project and reflects the tremendous amount of work that has been carried out by everyone involved to bring us to this point.
”This now allows us to move further with elements of the design and building programme, including procurement and tendering, and we will be doing that in due course.
”Elsewhere, we continue to make good progress in fundraising for the project and also in developing an exciting programme for V&A at Dundee.
”There is much to do to bring the project to fruition, so we welcome the very strong support we continue to receive from all of our partners and especially the public, who have been extremely enthusiastic about the prospect of V&A at Dundee.”
West End councillor Richard McCready was delighted the plans were approved.
He said: ”I think that this development will be a great one for the city. I look forward to work starting before too long and I hope that this will bring jobs to many local people.
”I also look forward to this iconic building providing a home for an iconic British institution in the heart of our city. I wish the project every success.”
The report from director of development management Mike Galloway, which recommended approval, stated the proposal was ”considered to be in accordance with the relevant policies of the development plan”.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop also welcomed the decision.
”This is a significant step forward in realising the vision for the V&A at Dundee, an international cultural project which has the potential to bring great benefits tothe city and the whole of Scotland,” she said.