A ”retirement village” on a parcel of land on the edge of Broughty Ferry could be built by next summer after planners gave it the thumbs-up.
Romead (Linlathen) Ltd has been given approval to build a supported living community, including 60 flats, on a site near the Linlathen Nursing Home, off the Dundee-Arbroath road.
The new development will provide apartments aimed at the over-60s and include a private garden and physiotherapy. In addition, residents will have access to 24-hour personal support and care.
Once built, the complex will be managed by Redwood Retreats, who say retirement villages are already popular throughout other parts of the world with several successfully operating in England.
However, a member of the local community council said he was worried that a path upgrade and the renovation of a nearby byre appear to have been forgotten about.
A spokesman for Romead said: ”This kind of development provides people with the privacy and security of home ownership, combined with companionship in their retirement.
”It will offer independence combined with support where it is needed. It’s very close to Broughty Ferry, but in a lovely rural setting.”
A residents’ lounge will be the focal point of the village, with a restaurant and bar used by people from the surrounding areas providing an opportunity to mix.
”The development will be situated within landscaped grounds and each luxury apartment will be finished to a very high standard with large rooms,” the spokesman added.
”They are designed with changing needs in mind with wide doors and easily accessed bathrooms. Both the properties and the services provided can adapt as time goes on, allowing residents to stay in their homes and receive any care they require.”
The plan initially received outline consent from the city council’s development management committee in 2010.
Full approval has now been granted, subject to conditions, which include the developer sticking to measures in a report by Eden Ecology Limited to make sure the local bat population is protected.
However, Dr David Hewick, planning secretary for the Broughty Ferry community council, spoke of his worries that two previous recommendations agreed when the application received outline consent two years ago appear to be missing.
These were for the upgrade of a path to the west of the site leading to Linlathen Bridge and for the renovation of an existing stone byre at the north west corner of the site.
”We expected the application to go through, but were a bit upset when these recommendations were not included,” he said. ”I have already written to Mike Galloway at the council to find out why they are not included.
”As far as we knew it was an agreed legal requirement to include them, but there may be a reasonable explanation.”
Work on the first phase of the two-bedroom apartments will begin immediately. They are expected to be on the market priced at £239,000 in early summer next year.