THE £45 million plan to build a major new V&A museum in Dundee has been given planning permission.
Kengo Kuma's design for the dramatic building on Dundee's waterfront will now be opened to tender to construction companies.
Philip Long, the director of the V&A at Dundee, said he believed the striking design of the building and its contents will attract visitors from around the world.
He said the city's residents and visitors will see evidence of the new museum, the first V&A outside London, being built within months.
"Kengo Kuma's fabulous design will give Dundee and Scotland a wonderful space to enjoy outstanding international exhibitions, and to learn about and get involved with Scotland's remarkable history of design creativity," he said.
A temporary infill of Craig Harbour beside RRS Discovery has already begun, incorporating crushed demolition material from the former Maxwelltown multi-toreys and Tayside House.
The demolition of the Olympia Swimming Pool, expected to take 40 weeks, is due to start in September.
Mr Long said building will begin early next summer.
The building is due to be completed by the end of 2015 and the fit-out and installation of exhibitions and displays will come in 2016.
Mr Long added: "We feel this timescale is realistic and, crucially, will ensure V&A at Dundee is ready to play a central role in the UK City of Culture 2017, should the strong case put forward by Dundee be fortunate enough to win."
Mike Galloway, director of city development at Dundee City Council, added: "Securing planning permission and the subsequent publication of the tender documents takes us closer towards constructing a world-class building that will have an international impact."
Planning was granted by Dundee councillors.
The Scottish Government has committed £15m in capital towards the project's budget and £3.25m in development funding.
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the project a "green light" towards funding of up to £9.2m, in 2012.
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