Outline proposals for a 300-house development north of Monifieth by Barratt North Scotland have been made public.
The major expansion of the town is the subject of a masterplan submitted to Angus Council, which is also considering a 380-house proposal by Taylor Wimpey for the adjacent site.
The strategic policy for the area calls for the majority of new developments to take place within existing settlements, and Angus Council wants brownfield sites developed before greenfield sites.
Barratt’s public consultation event at David Lloyd Leisure outlined proposals for a residential development, burnside parkland, associated infrastructure and communityfacilities on 86 hectares of farmland east of Victoria Street between Ashludie Hospital and the A92.
Chris Ross, Barratt’s senior land manager,described the proposals as “an exciting opportunity for a sustainable planned expansion of Monifieth, which will provide a variety of housing to meet a wide range of needs, including a significant number of affordable homes”.
The TAYplan classifies Monifieth as a Tier 1 settlement, meaning it has the potential to accommodate the majority of the region’s additional development through to 2032.
Angus Council favours a masterplan approach for new development in and around Monifieth by bringing landowners, developers and the local community together to establish a long-term vision for future growth.
The redevelopment of the Ashludie Hospital site adjoining the land Barratt wants to develop would be part of any masterplanning exercise, and Barratt believe their project would allow for such an outcome.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said they are working with a master planner who is preparing a plan for the disposal of the Ashludie site.
In September Taylor Wimpey conducted a similar exercise for the Grange site next door to Barratt’s.
Company spokesman Andrew Roberts said: “The Grange site is a logical extension to Monifieth. Our proposals include a mix of private new homes, as well as affordable housing, where there is currently a significant shortfall.
“We are also looking to provide land for a park-and-ride, as well as a new recycling facility, which could replace the town’s existing but constrained facility.”
Some significant obstacles lie in the path of the two proposed developments, however.
Scottish Water has suggested a drainage impact assessment would be required for so many new homes and the council say there is also no space on the rolls at Monifieth High School and limited capacity at Grange and Seaview Primary Schools, to accommodate new housing in the period 2014-2024.