£2.3m housing project on former Angus school site approved

A £2.3m housing plan for the former Kinloch Primary School site in Carnoustie has been approved by councillors.

The planning application, which sought to erect 11 homes on vacant land on the corner of Dundee Street and Links Avenue, was discussed at a development standards meeting on Tuesday.

Under the approved plans, eight one-bed flats bookended by two one-bedroom bungalows will be built.

A further two-bedroom bungalow is also proposed to the northwest of the site.

Kinloch Primary closed in 2006 as part of a re-organisation of local schools.

The building was then demolished in 2010 and the site has sat empty since.

Objections

However, the housing proposals had drawn a raft of objections.

A total of 44 letters of representation were lodged with the local authority, 41 of which raised objections to the plans.

The Carnoustie Community Council was among those opposed to the development.

Key concerns raised by objectors include the loss of existing and “well-used” community space, as well as increased pressure on local services and facilities and increased traffic and pressure on parking.

Multi-million housing plan approved

However, councillors unanimously voted to approve the plans and argued the development “trumps” concerns over community use.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, councillor Linda Clark said: “We have got over 40 people in objection and we can’t ignore that but I’m also very aware of the need for housing.”

Councillor Bill Duff added: “The community use seems a little ad hoc, there is still going to be a garden available.

“I think we have conflicting priorities and finding homes for people trumps occasional farmers’ markets.”