The dream of becoming a home owner is about to come true for five Angus families/couples, thanks to an innovative, affordable-housing initiative.

With the help of one of the final Gro Grants awarded by Communities Scotland, five, four-bedroom cottages have been built on the site of a former steading and will be offered for sale to a very specific market.

All potential buyers must be current council tenants or have been on the housing list for a minimum of six months, in addition to being a first time buyer or having never owned a home before.

The socially-responsible housing development is being sold by Ballindarg Buildings Ltd through Wardhaugh Property Management in Forfar who are putting together a complete buyer’s package and may be able to offer mortgages to suitable buyers and will guide them through the whole process of becoming home owners.

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The cottages are all new-builds. They have been sympathetically designed using original stone from the demolished steading and each comes with a generous garden, ideal for families. Several interesting features have been incorporated, such as a communal biomass heating system fuelled by woodchip. Each cottage has its own energy meter, like any other home. Biomass heating is very cost effective so bills should be cheaper.

Amanda Wiewiorka of Wardhaugh, said: “We are expecting a huge amount of interest in these properties. They offer the chance to buy a home to people who thought they would never get on to the housing ladder.”

The development, near Inverarity, has been welcomed by the Community Council. Its chairman, Donald Peters, said: "The regeneration of the derelict buildings to family dwellings and the addition to the local community of the families who will live there are very welcome. It is important to maintain the number of people, particularly families, living in rural areas."

(GK)