Planning students from the University of Dundee will consider the future of the area as they take on a new challenge set by TAYplan, the Strategic Development Planning Authority.

Working in groups, town and regional planning students in their fourth and postgraduate years will spend the next few weeks creating a strategy for development throughout the TAYplan area.

TAYplan, the Strategic Development Planning Authority, was set up in 2008 to create a framework for major building activity in Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and North/East Fife.

The strategy, which will replace existing council structure plans when it is approved by Scottish Ministers, will set out a vision for growth in the Dundee City Region.


Now planning students have been asked for their thoughts on how development in the area could look over the next 20 years.

Convener of TAYplan councillor David May said: "We have just completed a seven week consultation on key issues. This student project provides an opportunity to hear their thoughts, and provides a great opportunity to get students involved.

"It's looking at how major developments which can affect people in more than one council area are dealt with in a planned and sustained way and for these students it's not only their future careers, but also what the environment in which they might live and work could look like up to 2032.

"The consultation, now finished, will take into account the thoughts and opinions of individuals and organisations who are directly affected, either through their work or in a personal capacity. This student project provides the opportunity for links to be made between the planning school at the university and TAYplan."

The finished submissions, due in mid-October, will be judged by a panel before a presentation to the winning group later in the month.

(GK/BMcc)