A newly-announced working partnership could see plans for the proposed Carnoustie Business Park finally move forward.
Development firm the Muir Group has revealed its support for the proposal from Angus Estates for a business park development on Carlogie Road.
It has been hailed as a “welcome boost” to the local business community by both parties after the plans had stalled after the departure of DJ Laing from the project last year.
The new deal resulted in renewed enthusiasm for the proposal, and Angus Estates director Simon Laird is confident it will be granted planning consent and moved forward into the delivery phase.
Mr Laird said: “We have spent a lot of time and money in the past trying to get the business park moving forward and were disappointed that our previous local partner withdrew from the project.
“The Muir Group has a well-established track record as one of Scotland’s main providers of industrial and commercial property and we look forward to working with them to provide much needed employment land for local businesses.
“The prevailing sentiment that I hear most often from local businesses and employers is that they wish to see real progress and soon.
“As one person said to me, ‘the last thing Carnoustie needs is another five years of uncertainty since businesses cannot wait that long’.”
The area where the park is proposed has been subject to several applications in the last five years.
DJ Laing confirmed it pulled out of the application to focus on a new development at Upper Victoria, and a huge housing development near Carnoustie dubbed Carnoustie 2 by its opponents has also been proposed by the Muir Group.
The partners claim there has been significant interest from several businesses in the proposed Carlogie Road development and “a major local employer” has also reportedly expressed support for the business park on the basis it can be delivered and existing businesses can be relocated to the site.
Muir Group development director Stewart McPhail said: “We have a good working relationship with Angus Council via our joint venture with them at Orchardbank Business Park in Forfar, where we have constructed more than 100,000 square feet of accommodation and invested over £20 million.
“In the current market having the financial resources to deliver projects is critical.
“The Muir Group is currently debt free and we are seeking new opportunities to expand our commercial portfolio.
“As an adjacent land owner we are committed to Carnoustie and look forward to working with both Angus Estates and the council to deliver the business park that the business community wants.”
A public consultation was held in October last year to enable residents to view the plans and speak to developers.
The planning application seeks outline consent for the formation of business, general industry and storage distribution units alongside realignment of Carlogie Road at the land east of Carlogie Road.
Objections have been lodged against the plans on the council’s website, which raise concerns over possible pollution to the Carnoustie water table.
Questions have also been asked if a business case has been substantiated to merit the work, and further fears have been raised over the construction of a new road and the potential impact the new site would have on the picturesque coastal landscape.