Forth Ports is about to submit an outline planning application for the regeneration of the old Victoria and Camperdown docks, near the centre of Dundee. The proposal, which has the support of Scottish Enterprise Tayside, comprises a mixed, retail, leisure and residential scheme on the 8.09ha (20 acre) site.
Forth Ports is still waiting for a decision on its application to redevelop the old shipyard site next to Western Harbour in Leith, North Edinburgh, as a 25,000 sq m (270,000 sq ft) cruise liner terminal, retail and leisure scheme. The company submitted the application 12 months ago but remains optimistic that it will win planning consent this year. Bill Thomson, Chairman of Forth Ports, confirmed that negotiations with Edinburgh Council were continuing.
The port company is also part of the Rosyth 2000 Consortium, which is bidding to acquire the 144ha (356 acre) former naval base at Rosyth. The Scottish Office has already selected the consortium as preferred bidder. “I am hopeful that the sale will be completed within the next few months,” says Thomson.
Forth Ports is also proposing a new river terminal at Twelve Quays on the River Mersey. The company has submitted a Harbour Empowerment Order to the DOT and is now waiting to hear the outcome of an application for grant assistance from the Government Office for Merseyside.
News on the latest progress of Forth Ports’ planning proposals came with the publication of its six-monthly results. These show pre-tax profits up 45% to £10.2m. Turnover increased to £41m compared to £18.1m in 1995. Excluding turnover of £22.3m fromTilbury and Dundee, the year on year rise was nearly 4%.
EGi News 10/09/06
