Angus Council's Neighbourhood Services committee has agreed to provide up to £6,000 towards design costs of an affordable housing development in Dundee Road, Forfar.

The Association moved to new premises at Orchardbank, Forfar and their previous site has been identified for housing.

The 15 affordable homes will be built by Abertay Housing Association as the first phase of the redevelopment of the Dundee Road site.

Outline planning permission for the site included a requirement for 15% affordable housing provision and this can start, pending a future sale of the remainder of the site for house building when the economic climate improves.

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Convener of Neighbourhood Services Jim Millar said: "By assisting with the costs of the infrastructure design works, which will include the design of a 'spine' road and a drainage system for the whole site, it means building of the 15 homes can go ahead.

"The £6,000 contribution from the council to the £38,300 overall cost of the design works will come from income generated from the reduction in Council Tax discount on second homes."

He added: "Short-term, this will provide valuable additional affordable housing in the area. In the longer term, the entire Dundee Road site will be developed. The Guide Dogs Association has confirmed that it will meet the design costs relating to future phases of housing for open market sale. Our support for this project is helping it to be brought forward faster than if we had not supported it and is in line with our role of the strategic housing authority for all of the Angus area."

(GK/BMcC)