A rapidly-ageing white elephant on the fringes of Dundee and Angus could be in line for a £60 million revamp.
In 2011, The Courier revealed an offshore investment company’s intention to rebuild Strathmartine Hospital, closed since 2003 and a victim of years of neglect, fire damage and vandalism.
The site owner has now applied for full planning permission for almost 200 new houses.
Were that to be approved, Heathfield Ltd’s proposals would also see 25 new flats in the main listed buildings, some of which date from 1852.
The site has become so dilapidated that it is a landmark for several “urban exploration” communities, in which members take pictures of abandoned places and post them online.
Robert Evans, of agents Muir Smith Evans, said: “The initial plans were mooted nearly two years ago, when a public exhibition and consultation was undertaken.
“A full environmental impact assessment has also been completed and the applicant has worked closely with officers from Angus Council and Historic Scotland in drawing up the master plan.”
Patients from across Tayside were treated at the hospital until a decade ago.
A proposal of application notice was lodged by Heathfield Ltd in May 2011 for the new build and conversion project to include a potential nursing home and creche with community use.
This was followed by a public exhibition on June 14 and 15 2011 in the local primary school and 61 residents were mailed. Scottish Water did not object in its consultation response and said Clatto Water Treatment Works would have the capacity to serve the development.
An environmental statement was examined by Angus Council senior planning officer Dave Scott, who made some observations on water management and flood risk, including the site’s proximity to the Dighty Water.
Strathmartine Community Council, Scottish Water and the council’s head of roads will be consulted on full planning permission. Heathfield bought the site from NHS Tayside nearly a decade ago and has maintained several of the buildings.
A campaign called Save Strathmartine Hospital’s B-listed Main Building Pavilions was launched on Twitter and Facebook. Locals of Baldovan, Bridgefoot and Strathmartine itself were split when the initial consultation took place.
Some wanted fewer houses and others did not welcome any development.