A long-standing public path and lovers’ lane is at the centre of concerns over plans for a housing development.
Forfar residents were given the opportunity to view plans for a proposed 60-house development last week, and community council members have now indicated they are likely to object to the scheme at Gowanbank.
Developers have lodged a proposal of application notice with Angus Council for a “development of 60 houses including access, landscaping and associated works”.
Community councillors discussed the plans with reference to the Rosie Road, a worn path through the fields connecting Montrose Road and Brechin Road.
Chairwoman Isobel Ross said she was “not impressed” by early plans as she feels the right of way will be compromised.
“I’m not happy with that as they’re taking away part of the start of the road and making it a vehicle access for three or four houses,” she said.
“This road goes into what is called the Rosie Roadie, which is on the Forfar paths network. This is a popular walk for people, walking their dogs and such.
“Historically it’s always been like that and I don’t think that we should have to give up our pathways and rights of way.
“They’re then crossing it with the main road in… and apparently there is a house that will be knocked down to get access.”
Member Alistair Cormie said: “I think it’s quite repugnant that you knock a house down to build houses.”
Gowanbank LLP held a public meeting at Forfar Farmington’s clubhouse. The site is immediately east of McCulloch Drive and would be bounded by Montrose Road to the north and Arbroath Road to the south.
It would be more prominently seen from the south, to which there would be another access formed.
An early drawing shows seven phases of development, varying between five and 10 houses, and the site is 6.8 hectares in size.
Mrs Ross also said a single main road planned for the development is a problem.
“I have concerns as there is only one way into that scheme and one way out,” she said.
“There are 60 houses there we could be looking at 120 vehicles using this road and coming on to the Arbroath road.”