Dundee-based Abertay Housing Association has unveiled its first new-build foray into Angus, a long-awaited 16-flat development in the centre of Forfar.
The New Road properties are also the first to be built by Abertay in a decade and were hailed by Scottish local government and housing minister Kevin Stewart on a visit to the town during which he also viewed a new multi-million pound Angus Council conversion of the former Chapelpark Primary School.
Abertay Housing Association has developed the one-bedroom flats for people aged 50 and over.
The eight ground floor flats within the development are designed for people with mobility problems, and two are fully wheelchair adapted. All the homes are also highly energy efficient.
Abertay Housing Association chairwoman Kathleen Mands said: “This is an exciting moment for Abertay, as this is our first development of new homes outside Dundee.
“We are delighted with how well the development phase has gone, and would like to thank Campion Homes and KDM Architects for the high quality building and design that we see today.
“We pride ourselves in delivering a high standard of service to all our tenants and we look forward to working with Angus Council to extend this into Forfar.”
Angus Council communities convener Craig Fotheringham said: “Angus Council is pleased to have been able to support Abertay Housing Association to develop these much-needed homes through our strategic housing investment plan.
“Thanks to increased funding from the Scottish Government, we and our housing association partners are delivering an ambitious programme of new affordable housing development across Angus.
The completion of the New Road homes is the final piece of the development jigsaw associated with the creation of a new Asda store on the site of the former Angus Council HQ in St James Road.
Provision of amenity housing on the gap site close to the supermarket was part of the planning approval for the store, which opened in 2011.
The Chapelpark primary project involved the transformation of the B-listed main buildings into 29 high quality affordable homes for social rent as well as four new-build five-bedroom townhouses.
Six of these properties are suitable for households with particular needs.
Communities convener Mr Fotheringham added: “These are modern homes with a number of innovative and exciting technologies, which coupled with the history of the buildings, have made these homes attractive to our tenants.
“I’m positive that this enthusiasm will be retained and future generations will also be proud to call Academy Court ‘home’.”
