Redevelopment of the Keiller Centre, Dundee
Community ConsultationWelcome
Welcome to our consultation website, where you can find the latest information about Dundee 1881 Ltd’s plans to redevelop the Keiller Centre in Dundee into a vibrant urban quarter. We are calling this Keiller Quarter for the purposes of this consultation.
Dundee 1881 Ltd is a special purpose vehicle established specifically to purchase and invest in the future of the Keiller Centre.
This proposed high-quality development will feature a mix of uses, including best-in-class student homes, commercial space, and areas of public and private realm. The aim is to significantly enhance the overall environment and boost the local economy.
Our website outlines how you can learn more about the proposed development and share your views as part of our Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) process, undertaken before we submit a planning application to Dundee City Council.
Your feedback is important to us and will be considered as we develop the scheme, helping to shape our proposals.
Dundee is currently experiencing a critical shortage of student accommodation due to a rapidly increasing student population, which is contributing to the city’s housing emergency.
Our development aims to address this by regenerating the Keiller Centre for new student homes, thereby alleviating pressure on the private rental market, and providing accommodation for tourists during the summer months.
The PAC process will see two public consultation events being held, with the second of these taking place at:
The Keiller Centre, 3 Chapel St, Dundee DD1 1DQ
Thursday 27th February 2025, between 3pm and 7pm
Every opportunity to engage will be taken, every opinion valued – we look forward to hearing from you.
Site Location
Keiller Quarter site area
The site is conveniently located near university campuses, particularly Abertay to the north, and is close to all city centre attractions, which makes it attractive for tourists.
This highly sustainable development offers a variety of transportation, employment, retail, and leisure options in the area, which will enhance local foot traffic.
Project Background
The Keiller Centre has been struggling both financially and structurally for some time and is no longer a viable retail concept.
The repurposing of the site into the Keiller Quarter will transform the area into a vibrant hub of activity, combining modern living with leisure and shopping options.
This development will attract businesses, residents, and visitors, serving as a catalyst for the regeneration of the city centre and boosting the local economy.
Additionally, Keiller Quarter presents a valuable opportunity to re-establish the historical thoroughfare while introducing high-quality public and private realm, including greenspaces, improved lighting, and commercial space.
Current picture of the Keiller Centre
Proposed Development
Our vision for regenerating the current Keiller Centre is to create a high-quality, mixed-use development.
Keiller Quarter features best-in-class low-carbon student homes and commercial space, as well as areas designated for both public and private realm.
Designed to reflect the characteristics of the site and its surrounding context, this modern and attractive development will create safe and pleasant places for both its occupants and the wider community.
The intention is for this to be an exemplary development, both in terms of amenity provision for occupants and in terms of the overall sustainability of the scheme.
Furthermore, the development will enhance accessibility by significantly improving pedestrian links in and around the site, ensuring that it becomes a vital and integral part of the city centre’s environment and economy, thereby aiding its regeneration.
Additionally, the new student homes serve a dual purpose by providing tourist accommodation in the heart of the city centre during the summer months. This will benefit the broader city centre economy and support the ongoing growth of local tourist attractions.
Artist’s impression of the proposed view from New Inn Entry
Proposals include the following:
- The creation of a new, modern, and attractive development featuring active commercial uses on the ground floor, enhancing the streetscape.
- Strong pedestrian connections, alongside inviting public and private realm, including greenspaces.
- Development that is thoughtfully designed within a sensitively landscaped environment, providing opportunities for the creative industries and acting as a catalyst for the potential upgrading of surrounding buildings.
- Reinstating New Inn Entry as a high-quality public thoroughfare, enriched with enhanced streetscaping.
- The creation of a car-free development that provides ample bicycle spaces, promoting active transportation and contributing to creating a green neighbourhood.
- A 24/7 management regime to ensure the development serves as an excellent neighbour.
- The addition of rooftop terraces that will provide amenities for students and, during the summer months, outdoor space for tourists, offering spectacular views south across the city centre and River Tay for residents.
- The commitment to achieving first-class energy efficiency and environmental performance standards.
Housing Increasing Student Demand
Dundee has a large and growing student population, with higher and further education institutions playing a significant role in the city’s success. This growth has led to a high demand for housing.
According to the Higher Education Students Agency, between the academic years 2016/17 and 2022/23 (the latest academic year for which information is available), the number of full-time students at the University of Dundee and Abertay University has increased by nearly a quarter (24 per cent), rising from 14.475 to 17,950, which amounts to an additional 3,475 students.
As the student population continues to rise rapidly, Dundee is facing a recognised critical shortage of student accommodation, contributing to the city’s housing emergency.
Many students are compelled to find accommodation outside Dundee’s limited purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector, primarily in homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) within the private rented sector. This increased competition for housing puts pressure on that sector and has contributed to rising rents.
The number of students at Dundee’s universities has increased by 24% between 2016/17 and 2022/23
A shortfall of 6,084 PBSA bedspaces in Dundee
Development provides accommodation for students who would otherwise be competing for rental properties
Without the growth in student numbers, it has been reported that it is likely that the population of Dundee would have decreased since 2014/15
A report produced by the Scottish Parliament cross-party group on housing highlights a shortfall of 6,084 PBSA bedspaces in Dundee.
If approved, the new development will help address this growing demand, potentially freeing up housing for the likes of families and young professionals, or at the minimum provide accommodation for students who would otherwise be competing for rental properties. This will assist in easing Dundee’s housing shortage.
Students also make a significant contribution to the local economy by spending money in shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and on local services, enhancing the area’s vibrancy.
Without the growth in student numbers, it has been reported that it is likely that the population of Dundee City would have decreased since 2014/15.
New student homes will also help to provide tourist accommodation in the heart of the city centre during the summer months, helping the wider city centre economy and supporting growing tourist attractions.
Community Consultation
At Dundee 1881 Ltd, we are committed to conducting meaningful and effective consultation, shaping our proposals for Keiller Quarter by carefully listening to your views which are important to us.
Our Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) offers you the opportunity to provide valuable feedback and suggestions on our proposals, taking account of any comments made to further develop these before we submit a planning application to Dundee City Council. This input is crucial in ensuring the development meets the needs of both occupants and the local community.
A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) (Reference – 24/00790/PAN) was submitted to Dundee City Council in December 2024 to initiate this PAC process. In accordance with planning regulations, we are holding a minimum 12-week consultation period from the PAN submission, which includes the holding of two public consultation events.
We will analyse the feedback received during this process and share it with Dundee City Council as part of a PAC report. This report will accompany the planning application and will confirm what community consultation has taken place. It will also outline how any feedback received has been taken account of in the final proposals.
This community consultation activity is being carried out by Orbit Communications (PR and Public Affairs) Ltd on behalf of Dundee 1881 Ltd.
Have Your Say
A second public consultation event, providing the opportunity to influence our updated development proposals for Keiller Quarter, will be held at the Keiller Centre, 3 Chapel St, Dundee DD1 1DQ, on Thursday 27th February 2025, between 3pm and 7pm.
At the event, consultation boards presenting our updated proposals will be available to view, and attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback and comments. The project team will be present to discuss the proposal and answer any questions you may have. Consultation boards will be accessible on this website from Thursday 27th February 2025.
If you would like to comment on the proposals, you can do so by using the feedback form at the consultation event; by emailing: hello@keillerdev.co.uk; by writing to: Keiller Quarter Consultation, c/o Orbit Communications, 42 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ, or by telephoning: 0131 202 3259.
The feedback window has now closed.
The updated proposals displayed at this second event follow a first public consultation event held on Wednesday 29th January 2025. During this second event, we will also share earlier feedback received and explain how we have responded to it.
Please note that comments made at this stage are to the applicant and do not constitute representations to Dundee City Council. An opportunity to make formal representations to the Council will be available following formal submission of the planning application.
The feedback period has now closed.
Next Steps
Subject to this consultation exercise, and further discussions with Dundee City Council and other stakeholders, it is proposed to submit a planning application in April/May 2025.
This planning application will include supporting information that covers a variety of topics, including design, built heritage, townscape, sustainability, biodiversity, transport, ecology, flooding, drainage, ground conditions and noise. Additionally, and as noted previously, a PAC report will accompany the application.
We will keep this website updated as the development evolves, considering continuing interest and feedback.
Contact Us
For further information, please:
Email: hello@keillerdev.co.uk
Telephone: 0131 202 3259
Post: Keiller Quarter Consultation, c/o Orbit Communications, 42 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ
This website is operated by Orbit Communications (PR and Public Affairs) Ltd on behalf of Dundee 1881 Ltd