A new £16m arts centre at a Dundee school has been given the go-ahead.

Dundee High School is pressing ahead with the next stage of its centre for performing and visual arts after receiving planning permission from the council.

The proposals will transform the post office on Meadowside, which dates from 1898.

It was rescued by the school in 2013 after lying unused for a number of years.

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The school will develop the building to provide learning and teaching facilities for art, drama, music and culinary arts, as well as new dining and catering spaces and further administrative and social spaces for pupils and staff.

Features in the designs include a 300-plus seat auditorium, a range of drama and music technical and performance spaces, a recording studio, and a roof terrace which also offers the potential to be used as an outdoor classroom.

The centre and its facilities will also available for wider community use and for conferences.

Rector Dr John Halliday said he was delighted the plans were approved.

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He said: “The transformative impact of the creative arts on lives is well documented and this building will enable us to realise the dream of widening and deepening access to music, drama and art and design.

“It is at the heart of the city and will be offered for community use.

“We have designed our plans to complement the city’s aspirations for V&A Dundee and the waterfront redevelopment, and to enable the school to make an exciting contribution to Dundee’s burgeoning reputation as a city of culture, initiative and design.”

Designs: The planned courtyard for the £16m arts centre.

Work to strip out and restore the building to its original structure has already been completed as the project prepares to enter a final detailed design phase.

Dr Halliday added: “To raise money for the project, the school has launched a five-year fundraising drive which represents the most ambitious capital campaign ever embarked upon by a UK independent school.

“The whole school community is already very excited by the project.”

Billy Gartley, head of cultural services at Leisure and Culture Dundee, said: “The proposed development of the former head post office by the High School of Dundee is an excellent opportunity to develop a new space which will enhance the city’s cultural offering.

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“This is another great example of the cultural ambition of Dundee.”

Nicola Walls the lead architect for the project said: “Page\Park are delighted that the new Centre for Performing and Visual Arts has reached this significant milestone of obtaining planning and listed building consent.”