A Dundee construction firm has won the fight for 15 Arbroath town centre flats to help combat the town’s “dire” housing situation.
On Thursday, Angus planning review committee upheld an appeal by George Martin Builders against an earlier refusal for the four-storey block next door to the town’s Webster Theatre.
Plans for the Hillcrest Housing Association project at 60-62 High Street were first submitted at the end of 2023.
A morning site visit in advance of the Development Management Review Committee meeting helped sway councillors.
But others said they still had reservations about the proposal.
Noise survey at Arbroath flats site
The previous refusal, made by officials under delegated powers, included concerns residents might be disturbed by noise from the theatre next door.
An independent noise assessment showed that would not be the case.
The block will have eight two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom flats.
The scheme was reduced from an initial proposal for 20 flats.
However, Forfar councillor Ian McLaren said the appeal should be dismissed.
“It’s very desirable to have more housing in Arbroath, but this is a difficult site.
“I feel the building is too big.”
DMRC convener Bill Duff led support for approval.
He said: “The land is not allocated for housing.
“This a windfall site because the building that was there before was dangerous and was knocked down.”
He highlighted a national and local housing emergency.
“There is a dire shortage of affordable housing in Scotland, Angus and probably Arbroath,” said Mr Duff
“We’ve a gap site in one of our largest towns.
“It’s difficult to see how that will be filled if it’s not with housing.”
The review committee voted by three to two to approve the application.
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