If approved, the community custody unit (CCU) will open in late 2020 on Nelson Street in the Hilltown area of the city.

It will house up to 16 prisoners from Dundee and the surrounding areas, who have been assessed as suitable for reintroduction to the community.

Tom Fox, head of corporate affairs at SPS, said: “I think everybody who wanted to see what we are proposing has had the opportunity to see it.

“Like any potential developer, we will be fully involved in the application process and we would hope that will go on until the later part of the year, but that is a matter for the council.”

If councillors approve the plans work will begin on the facility early next year.

Currently, the only female custody unit is HMP Cornton Vale in Stirling, which is due to close in 2020. However, construction of another in Glasgow is currently underway.

Image credits: SPS