Adding 90 homes to a rural Angus village could create a “scheme” area, it has been claimed.
Friockheim and District Community Council wants Angus Council to reconsider proposals in its local development plan, for an additional 50 houses to be built near a site that has already been approved for 40.
The local authority is considering the move as part of its Angus Main Issues Report (MIR), which seeks to identify ways in which the county may develop over the next two decades.
Following a presentation from planning officers at the community council’s latest meeting, a response was sent to the council to outline local views.
A section stated: “The Friockheim community is, in the main, still very unhappy about the decision to allow the development of up to 40 houses to the South of Gardyne Street.
“This development was strongly opposed during the consultation and appeals processes relating to the decision.
“Whilst accepting that the decision is now a matter of history and it is only to be expected that the ‘losers’ will have louder voices than the ‘winners’ following any such decision that does not change the very real anger that many within the village feel about the decision, and this anger does not appear to have dissipated in any way.
“It is no wonder, then, that many within the community are extremely concerned that the local development plan is indicating the development of a further 50 houses on an adjacent site to the South of Gardyne Street.”
Work is yet to begin on the 40 approved houses near Gardyne Street.
The community council claims that building 90 homes would mean an increase of around 30% in the village housing stock and could lead to the development being seen as a “scheme”.
Members say building at the location will split the village in two, increasing pedestrian traffic “considerably” across Gardyne Street, including children taking the route on the way to school.
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “The council has recently been asking for community views on the Angus MIR, which looks at how the county should develop during the next 20 years.
“Friockheim is one of four large villages seen as rural service centres with shops, school and other facilities, where some new housing development could take place.
“The council will be considering all views on these proposals, including representations from Friockheim Community Council, and on the locations of any future housing developments, as part of preparing a proposed plan.”
Friockheim has two shops, a chemist, a health centre, one primary school, two halls and one church. A bid to transform the empty Eastgate School into a community hub is still at an early stage and will rely on lottery funding.
An overview report on the responses to the MIR consultation will go before committee on March 5.
The options for Friockheim can be viewed on the council’s website at angus.gov.uk.