Angus Council has agreed to buy a fire-ravaged building in Carnoustie though its future use is still to be determined.
The local authority will purchase the damaged shop at 18 High Street for £25,000 as debate continues over whether it be developed into a shop and flats or only affordable housing.
The communities committee agreed to acquire the building, which has been an eyesore on the town’s High Street for more than a year, while continuing to consult with people over the way ahead.
Committee convener Donald Morrison said: “In the spirit of Team Angus, myself and the vice-convener Jeanette Gaul met with the three elected members from Carnoustie last week and from that meeting I asked the director to go away again and meet with the previously consulted parties.
“The director has done that and further discussions are naturally needed.
“We need to secure this site as soon as possible with further reports coming forward and local members also being updated.”
The council has already secured a £200,000 grant from the Scottish Government for the site to be developed into four affordable homes for rent.
However, this move brought criticism from some people in the town, led by Councillor Bill Bowles, who said additional affordable housing should not be built at the cost of town centre retail provision.
Carnousite councillor Brian Boyd spoke passionately in favour of the site being developed for affordable housing.
He said: “We know there is a great demand for affordable housing in Carnousite and the council has secured a £200,000 grant.
“We know that the supply of retail properties already exceeds demand with shops that have been empty for years.
“We also know that the owner of the property has chosen not to rebuild the shop. This should tell us all we need to know about the viability of shop premises along the High Street.
“Let’s secure the site, stop dreaming, deal with reality and remove the eyesore that has blighted our High Street for over a year. We can’t keep running around in circles here.”
Councillors Iain Gaul and Helen Oswald sought assurances about the time limit on the government’s £200,000 grant if the decision was delayed.
Strategic director Alan McKeown said the funds were only available for creating four affordable homes for rent.
It was agreed that a report on the future use of the site be brought to the full meeting of Angus Council in three weeks’ time.
The fire on January 4 last year took more than five hours to bring under control. The shop unit at 16 High Street, which was also damaged, will be refurbished by its owner.