March 30 2020

The University of Dundee is arguing for the demolition of an unlisted tenement at 16-18 Airlie Place within the City Campus within the city campus conservation area.

In use over previous decades as student accommodation the properties have lain empty since 2007 and have deteriorated to such an extent that an estimated £400k would be needed to repair the façade and roof, not including necessary interior works – deemed to be an unreasonable cost.

Marketing of the site for sale was also ruled out as this would remove the university’s control of the site and preclude future new build options.

In a statement, the university’s agent Wellwood Leslie Architects wrote: “For this site, a number of feasibility studies for re-use of the existing building have been undertaken. However, none of these studies has resulted in a viable option being identified.

“The preference of the University of Dundee is to demolish the 2no properties and to clear the site for temporary soft landscaping to be used by the University of Dundee Nursery which is situated within the Dundee University Students Association (DUSA). The site has been identified in the university masterplan for future development when a suitable project comes online.”

The properties originally formed part of a continuous cul-de-sac prior to development of the DUSA building in the 1960s, leaving an interior separating wall exposed as a gable end which has induced settlement and the appearance of large vertical cracks in the stonework.

A previous decision by Dundee City Council to demolish 26 historic tenement homes on Blackness Road was roundly criticised for a failure to consult with tenants.

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Chris on 30 Mar 2020 at 13:53 PM

You're having a laugh here surely? What kind of an argument is "We don't have enough money to renovate, but we also don't won't to give it to people who do".

I hope the council do the right thing.

#2 Posted by Damp Proof Membrane on 30 Mar 2020 at 15:13 PM

Uncalled for. Pass the existing building onto an organisation or group who are in need of affordable residential accommodation. Really quite pathetic - we all know it'll remain a piece of poorly designed and poorly integrated landscaping for at least 25 years. Their removal will increase the risk to the adjacent terrace and reduce the quality and character of the conservation area / street. Outrageous.

#3 Posted by KLD on 30 Mar 2020 at 17:03 PM

It's a cracking building - would be a real shame to see it lost. Why has it been left empty for 13 years?

#4 Posted by town planner on 30 Mar 2020 at 21:47 PM

Surely not, this is a good building, and they don't build em' like that anymore. (Literally)
Bit surprised that this isn't listed. University of Dundee should not be proposing this, and Dundee Council should not pass it.

#5 Posted by mick on 30 Mar 2020 at 23:19 PM

This decision is unfortunately the reflection of a publicly funded institution lacking a proactive sense of campus sensitivity or ecological responsibility. Let us hope such thinking does not travel by osmosis into their educational portfolio. Dundee may have recently removed senior officials but do they now have to revert to removing substantial historic buildings...

#6 Posted by Sven on 3 Apr 2020 at 09:13 AM

What sort of argument is 'we let the building rot for over a decade to the extent it needs extensive structural work, so we need to knock it down now'.
Make them give it away to someone who cares about the building and its beauty.

Post your comments