A Carnoustie councillor has launched a last-ditch bid to halt a controversial £440,000 town centre housing development.
The plan to turn the fire-ravaged High Street shops into four one-bedroom flats has been condemned as “ill-conceived and short-sighted” by independent Bill Bowles, who will make an 11th hour plea to stop the six-figure scheme going ahead in a motion to Thursday’s full meeting of Angus Council.
However, council finance bosses have warned the authority could suffer a financial hit of around £340,000 if the project they have already approved founders.
The former laundrette and grocers were gutted by a spectacular blaze in 2013.
Their future was hotly debated in the town before councillors voted overwhelmingly in February to proceed with the flats plan.
The project could begin as early as next month but Mr Bowles’ motion calls for the scheme to be stalled so a comprehensive inquiry can be carried out.
He said he was appalled at the decision to progress with plans for affordable housing and is adamant there has been a lack of research into what the town actually needs.
Council documentation for the scheme has emphasised the very high demand for housing in the area and that the development would create housing for people currently on the waiting list for accommodation. A change in shopping trends and a drop in demand for high street shops was also highlighted.
The overall estimated cost of the project is £440,000 and a contract for the work has already been awarded, with work provisionally scheduled to start next month.