Two major developments for Dundee — with a combined value of £10 million — have been approved by city councillors.
The £5 million Sports Direct store and gym at Lochee was given the final go-ahead by members of Dundee City Council’s Development Management Committee.
So, too, were £5 million plans for 35 new houses on a site at Barns of Claverhouse.
Following the decisions, representatives of both developments confirmed that work would now begin on the sites.
Speaking on behalf of Sports Direct, which is owned by businessman Mike Ashley, Ian Gallacher said he was delighted city councillors had approved changes to the planning application which will allow the store to sell a wider range of goods than previously approved.
The Sports Direct development will open at the former Venue nightclub at The Stack Leisure Park, Lochee.
The company had threatened to pull out of the plans unless the city council removed restrictions limiting it to the sale of sportswear.
Monday night’s decision removes those restrictions.
Mr Gallacher said: “This is a significant investment from TJ Morris and Sports Direct — in the region of £5 million — to create this new gym and retail store in Lochee.
“This most recent planning permission allows the retail element of the proposal to have a small amount of trade being for non-sporting goods and clothes, like you would find in any normal Sports Direct outlet.
“We are delighted that the council has again supported this proposal and look forward to work beginning on the new store in due course.”
It is hoped preparation work on the site will begin in the New Year and construction work in the spring, with a view to the store opening late next summer or early autumn.
Meanwhile, Neil Gray, agent for the developers at Claverhouse, said he too was delighted that the council had given the plans the go-ahead.
He said the developers were a Dundee-based pension fund who were looking to invest in the local area.
Mr Gray said: “Due to improvements in the housing market and a high demand for housing in the area they are seeking to develop in a way that benefits the local community.”
The applicants will now be taking steps to appoint a house builder who could complete the project.
The development is proposed for a former factory, office and yard at Barns of Claverhouse.
It is proposed that the derelict factory is demolished and the site cleared to make way for 35 new homes, communal spaces and a play park.
The developers have said a mix of houses would be created and they hope to create a “village green” styled space bringing the community together,
They won the backing of locals during consultations last summer.