The wait for a decision on Dundee FC’s application to build a new 12,500 seater stadium at Camperdown is set to continue.

A planning in permission application seeking permission for the development was first submitted to Dundee City Council last February.

A decision was initially expected in August but has been repeatedly delayed as council officers requested more information from club chiefs.

This has dealt a blow to Dundee managing director John Nelms’ ambition to have the club in the new stadium this year.

But what will happen if the plans finally get the go-ahead and how soon could spades be in the ground?

The Courier takes a look at what happens next.

When will a decision on the Camperdown stadium be made?

Speaking to media last November, Dundee FC chief John Nelms said they were hopeful a hearing on the decision would happen in January.

However, the stadium application has not been on the agenda for any of the scheduled  planning committee meetings this year.

And it is still unknown when it will be considered by councillors.

When the Camperdown stadium application is eventually placed on the planning committee agenda, they will consider a report drafted by council planning officers.

This report will outline the following:

• Details of the stadium proposal
• Letters of objection and support submitted from public
• Consultations with public bodies (e.g. Transport Scotland)
• Policy considerations (e.g. Dundee Local Development Plan)

Dundee City Council’s planning committee will decide the application. Image DC Thomson.

Officers will conclude the report with a recommendation to the committee that they either grant or refuse planning permission.

The committee do not have to adhere to the recommendation.

What happens if the application is refused?

Dundee FC say they have committed “time, energy and financial investment” to ensure there are no problems with the application.

They add that their “extensive group of consultants” have concluded the proposal is “viable with no significant issues raised”.

Concept image of Dundee’s new stadium at Camperdown Park. Image: Holmes Miller Architects.

But if Dundee City Council’s planning committee do decide to refuse planning permission, there are options open to the club.

If they wish, they may decide to appeal to Scottish Government ministers who have the power to overturn planning refusal.

Asked about a potential Plan B earlier this year, Nelms said on the club’s website that he believed the planning in principle application “answers all the questions” and “no significant issues” have been raised.

Why are Dundee FC looking to build a new stadium?

Dundee FC are currently based at Dens Park, which has been their home for 125 years.

But the club say they are spending £700,000 every year to maintain the current condition of the ageing infrastructure.

And building a new stadium on the site is “not viable” due to it being in the middle of a residential area.

Dundee chiefs also say there is no scope for the secondary income generators essential to any new investment.

Dundee FC have played at Dens Park for over 100 years. Image: Mark Scates/SNS Group.

What are included in the stadium plans?

If approved, the plans will see a 12,500 seater stadium built on the edge of Camperdown Park.

The ambitious application also includes proposals for 140-room hotel, 300-capacity beer hall, a residential development and a city crematorium.

However, plans for a training facility to be built on unused land at Camperdown were scrapped by the club.

A concourse outside the stadium. Image: Holmes Miller Architects.

It came after concerns from the Dundee Civic Trust, who flagged a decades-old planning law to council chiefs.

The club secured permission to build a new training ground at Riverside Drive in In November 2024.

Has there been any teething problems  surrounding the application?

Concerns have been raised over the potential impact the stadium development could have on the Kingsway.

In the application, club chiefs admitted the new facility could result in congestion on the trunk road on matchdays.

The proposed layout of the junction at the entrance to Camperdown Park for Dundee FC’s proposed stadium. Supplied by Systra/Dundee FC.

To mitigate this, the Dark Blues want to have an access road directly from the A90 into their new stadium complex at Camperdown.

However, a row has reputed between Dundee FC chiefs and transport bosses.

Speaking to the media in April, Nelms said Transport Scotland is to blame for the delay in a council decision on the Camperdown stadium.

The Texan said he and chairman Tim Keyes had done everything possible to address the concerns raised by the agency over the Kingsway.

But in a rare public intervention, Transport Scotland accused Dark Blues bosses of failing to resolve the road network issue crucial to the stadium’s approval.

Dundee FC owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms. Image: Shutterstock/David Young

In a statement, they said: “It sits wholly with the developer and their consultants to settle these issues and present stakeholders with a coherent plan.

“We have repeatedly shown willingness to engage with the developer to address these issues, but they have yet to provide the information necessary that would allow us to give a definitive response to their proposals.

“We remain in discussions with the local authority about the lack of progress the developers and their consultants are making”.

The training hub also proved to be a stumbling block, with the club admitting the majority of objections submitted against the application related to this.

Under the initial plans, this was the only part of the development to be built in Camperdown Park itself.

This was officially axed in Septembers when a new master plan was submitted.

Have there been opposition to the stadium project?

Dundee’s stadium plans have drawn criticism from the Dundee Civic Trust (DCT), who are concerned about proposed transport measures for the site.

DCT is a voluntary body and charitable trust which aims to encourage the highest standards of design in new buildings and regeneration projects.

Chairman of the Dundee Civic Trust Donald Gordon. Image: Mhairi Edwards/DCThomson

Members submitted a formal objection to the plans during the public consultation, saying parking, access to the stadium complex and traffic safety on the Kingsway are all issues to be considered.

How much will this cost and who is paying?

Dundee FC say the total investment in the stadium and surrounding development has been estimated at £95m.

This includes around £3 million in planning and development costs.

They add that much of the “secondary development” within the proposal will be “revenue-generating” to help pay off the capital investment.

It is also hoped the complex will host host concerts, major events and large international conferences.

Discussions with “potential external investors” are also ongoing.

Is a ground share with Dundee United on the table?

Speaking at a question-and-answer session at the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce in January, Nelms addressed the possibility of ground-sharing with United.

He said that whilst the previous regime at their city rivals was firm ‘no’ to the idea, he would open to having talks with the current United chairman, fellow American Mark Ogren.