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Scotland’s first new purpose-built forensic laboratory in almost 15 years is to be built on the banks of the River Tay.
Plans to build a purpose built forensic science facility in Dundee were unveiled today as agreement was reached by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) to secure a site at the City Quay.
SPSA will be occupying the whole of City Court, the northern building of Unicorn Property Group’s DundeeOne development. City Court will be built over five floors, covering an area of over 50,000 square feet; one of the largest Grade A office developments in Dundee in a generation.
The £16.2 million development marks a major vote of confidence in the future of forensic services in Scotland and will create a bespoke working environment which will facilitate the deployment of new forensic techniques and advances in technology across the country.
Set for completion in early 2010, the new modern forensic facility will house the DNA Database, the biology and chemistry laboratories, and the fingerprint and scene examination units.
It will provide a number of clear benefits to the provision of Forensic Services including:
- Facilities for specialised analysis such as dedicated space for the examination of large exhibits and a blood pattern analysis laboratory.
- Controlled laboratory environments to reduce contamination;
- A more efficient workflow through the appropriate location of different working environments within the new building, leading to faster processing times.
- Streamlining of the administration and forensic analysis process by establishing a common IT and evidence tracking system.
- Flexible space that can be adapted to accommodate additional staff and specialised equipment as future needs and demands become clearer.
Interim SPSA Convener George Kay said:
“This is a very significant investment by SPSA and we are delighted to have secured what we believe to be the right site at the most efficient cost. The development will be a major milestone for SPSA, a major vote of confidence in the future direction of forensic services for Scotland, and a major asset to the city of Dundee. Above all, I hope that it will be a place that supports our highly-skilled forensic staff to make their best contribution to the fight against crime.”
Tom Nelson, Director of SPSA Forensic Services, explained some of the background to the issues driving the need for investment and change in forensic services:
“In the last two decades advances in science and technology, such as DNA analysis, has led to rapid and sustained growth in demand within criminal justice systems for forensic services. Meeting those demands is hard at the best of times – harder still when working from cramped, often-converted office space.
“This new facility will allow us to develop a building that will support more effective ways of working from the start – rather than forcing our staff and equipment to work around the constraints of an existing building.
“The reputation and place of forensic science within criminal justice is built on quality and trust. Forensic experts must have a working environment and appropriate storage facilities to ensure that there is no possibility of cross contamination of their work. After all, guilt and innocence for individuals may rest on those results.
“This new purpose-built facility will support that and represents another major step in the transformation of forensic services for the 21st century.”
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill added:
“This is good news for Scottish policing and the wider criminal justice system. SPSA’s decision to invest in a much needed new forensic laboratory at Dundee, together with the new laboratory which will form part of the Gartcosh Crime Campus near Glasgow, will transform the provision of forensic services across Scotland to the benefit of the police and indeed the wider criminal justice system.”
Commenting on the regeneration of the area, Tim Allan, Unicorn Property Group said:
“We are delighted to be working with SPSA on the development of this landmark DundeeOne building. Unicorn assembled a highly skilled design team who are uniquely qualified to do this special build. Given the fantastic location, the ease of access and the superb facilities, the move to City Court is set to be a huge enhancement for forensic services.
“City Quay (City Court & River Court) is proving to be both a commercial and residential destination of choice and we are very encouraged by the employment which will be brought to Dundee, and City Quay in particular, with the DundeeOne development.”
These two buildings represent the only new speculative office developments currently on site in Dundee. DundeeOne forms a key part of the overall City Quay / Waterfront development, a vision which will see Dundee’s Waterfront transformed over the next 20 years.
“Building on our knowledge of the city, our analysis of the city’s office market and our successes in developing City Quay as a new business quarter in the city centre, we were confident that if we initiated development, the shortage of quality office product, particularly in the City centre, and with the known levels of latent demand, then lettings would follow.”
Hugh Rutherford, Development Consultant and Joint Letting Agent at Montagu Evans stated:
“...the Dundee office market is due for a renaissance with strong levels of demand and limited supply. Whilst the current economic climate is affecting sentiment and take-up of office stock nationally, Dundee’s local economy is very broad based and unlike other office centres seems to be holding up well in the current downturn.”
Joint Development Consultant and Letting Agent, Andrew Dandie, of Graham & Sibbald, an expert on the Dundee market confirmed:
“The Waterfront area of Dundee represents a fantastic opportunity for office occupiers being located, as it is, in the heart of the City Centre with all the facilities therein and in close proximity to public transport facilities and accessibility to the main road system.”
River Court will complete in Quarter 2 2010 and has panoramic views over the Tay Estuary and the Dundee City skyline with efficient and flexible, open plan floorplates.
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| Link: http://www.dundeeone.com |
| Various |
| 03/10/2008 |
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