A care home in Angus will be revitalised as council accommodation and “a home for heroes” after a minor disagreement over housing priorities.
The former Camus House care home in Carnoustie is being replaced by the town’s new Kinloch centre.
It was yesterday agreed the home will be re-purposed as 12 council houses, along with five adapted properties in partnership with the Houses for Heroes charity.
Neighbourhood services committee councillors agreed its demolition and 100-year lease arrangement for the new-build but a case was made for making a priority of those in town with additional needs or carer status, above those the charity would home.
From the public benches, Independent councillor and non-committee member Bill Bowles made a case for council officers listening to Carnoustie’s needs before brokering with other groups.
Former naval officer Mr Bowles said he believed Housing For Heroes accommodation should be more spread throughout the county, and asked whether there was an identified need in Carnoustie for this type of housing, in the face of a requirement to shelter people with additional needs.
Committee convener and Arbroath SNP councillor Donald Morrison said the council had to meet its “statutory requirements” to house ex-service personnel, adding: “I’m pleased to see us making a commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which all of us signed up to.
“This site gives us a rare opportunity to help those who have served our country.”
Kirriemuir Conservative councillor and Angus Council veterans’ champion Ronnie Proctor said Housing For Heroes has properties of a similar type in Arbroath and Montrose with 11 wheelchair-designed social rented houses in Angus.
He said Camus House was an ideal location for ex-service personnel accommodation.In a similar vein as Mr Bowles’ deputation, Carnoustie independent councillor Brian Boyd proposed an amendment to the report, that the property would make way for 17 council houses.
His recommendation was to include five units for carers or those with adult learning difficulties to the site, as the council has a remit to house “another set of heroes” with caring commitments.
He said: “I feel the report does not go in depth enough as to the appropriateness and need for these five wheelchair-adapted houses.”
His mendment did not find a seconder.
Provost Helen Oswald and Councillor Alex King voiced concern at the “excessive amounts” of money the report quoted as legal costs for 10 neighbours to gain access rights a total of £160,000. Acting service director Alan McKeown said he could bring back a breakdown of costs to committee.
Forfar SNP councillor Glennis Middleton said a single site in Carnoustie was ideal, adding: “One of the things we must learn about Angus is we can’t have everything in every burgh.
“I had rather hoped we would be proud that Angus is a home for heroes.”