Muirhead and Birkhill residents say any plans to redesignate “green field” land near the village to build 360 new houses “won’t be taken lying down.”
Two companies are lobbying Angus Council to amend its Draft Local Development Plan so that land south of Muirhead and Birkhill could be considered for development, claiming it is a “logical extension” to the village.
But residents say such a large development would destroy their quality of life and push infrastructure to breaking point.
A&J Stephen Ltd and Bett Homes’ proposal was discussed last week at a packed Muirhead, Birkhill and Liff Community Council meeting.
Community councillor Vince Taylor from Birkhill said: “It was the most people we have ever had at a community council meeting.
“The general feeling was that most, if not all, were against a housing development as it would be detrimental to the area.
“We believe that Angus Council will announce their proposal in the summer and we will have six weeks to reply to it. We are certainly not going to take it lying down if it did get changed.
“If Angus Council or the Scottish Government allow this to go ahead it will be the start of a very slippery slope. Muirhead and Birkhill is an excellent place to live.
“If they add another 360 houses it will completely destroy that good feeling.”
Muirhead resident Jimmie Reid said he was “horrified” at the thought of hundreds of new houses beside the village.
He said: “It’s no longer going to be a village if they stick that many houses in.”
Angus’s Local Development Plan falls under the long-term TAYplan umbrella. Recently approved by Scottish Ministers the TAYplan represents the up-to-date strategic guidance for Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and north Fife.
It is the starting point for any decisions on future land allocations to be made by Angus Council.
A submission on behalf of A&J Stephen Ltd and Bett Homes to the Angus Local Development Plan main issues report states that they are “concerned” land to the south of Birkhill and to the north of Liff Hospital has not been considered for development.
The companies state: “Birkhill South represents a logical extension to the village. Numerous facilities already exist on the south side of the settlement and the proposed development would consolidate and enhance these assets.
“The site is well contained and offers an obvious opportunity for approximately 360 houses on some 14 hectares.
“For Angus Council to dismiss out of hand any new development an opportunity at Birkhill or Liff Hospital North is contrary to the strategic advice of the TAYplan.”