Angus was praised for leading the way in providing homes for disabled veterans as a development in Carnoustie was officially opened by Scottish Veterans Minister Keith Brown yesterday.
The Camus Crescent development, built on the site of the former Camus House, was completed in 2015 at a cost of £2 million.
Of the 16 affordable rental houses, five were built in partnership with Houses for Heroes Scotland to be used to home to former serving disabled members of the Armed Forces.
The Scottish Veterans’ Garden City Association (SVGCA), which is behind the Help for Heroes scheme, said the Angus model had since been replicated by other local authorities.
Mr Brown said: “It’s an honour and delight to be asked to come along today to officially open the five new homes.
“Having witnessed the start of this project and what had to be done to achieve this, it’s great to see the final outcome.
“Making sure we have homes that are fit for our ex-servicemen and women is absolutely essential and the least that they deserve.
“The difference it can make to those who live in them, making sure their independence is secure in their own environment, is very important.”
The Scottish Government donated £1.3m to SVGCA for its housebuilding plans of which a subsidy of £171,000 was allocated to the Carnoustie development.
SVGCA’s chairman Lt Colonel Richard Callander said: “The model we’ve developed is a community within a wider community.
“It’s a model we’ve used throughout our new developments in Scotland. It works very well.
“It’s something we’ve achieved with the help of a lot of people. The Scottish Government has been fantastic, Angus Council has been fantastic with the support they’ve given and of course numerous other donors as well.”
Angus Council’s veterans champion Councillor Ronnie Proctor had previously described the scheme to The Queen at a Houses for Heroes Scotland event.
He said: “Angus Council were the first local authority to do this with Houses for Heroes Scotland. The results are first class and what’s needed. The project ran smoothly and the residents are very happy.
“I spoke to the Queen about what was being done here and she thought the project was great and exactly the right approach.”
Angus Council’s communities convenor Donald Morrison added: “This was the first in Scotland. Angus is really looking after its veterans, its heroes, and it’s a credit to Carnoustie.”
Scott Hadden, chairman of Hadden Construction, said: “It’s great to put something back into the community. We were able to employ apprentices throughout the project.
“We are so proud to have been involved in such a prestigious project.”
