Springfield properties has repeated its commitment to Dundee’s Western Gateway and is urging residents to help shape the £150 million, 600-home villages project.
The company has unveiled plans for the long-awaited venture proposed for South Gray, which will go on display at public consultation events starting on Wednesday.
Springfield land manager Sandra Lindsay said: “We are committed to this project, which has been hanging around for a long time.
“We have had a lot of discussions with the council and with landowners and are intending to submit the first planning application for the development at the end of March.
Western Gateway had been on the drawing board for more than a decade, without any serious interest from developers.
The issue became a bone of contention for Dundee City Council, with critics saying the concept of encouraging the city’s westward expansion was misconceived and that the authority should instead allow more houses to be built in the east.
Springfield’s arrival two months ago silenced the criticism and was warmly welcomed by city development director Mike Galloway, who said at a meeting to launch the firm’s plans that he “liked their style”.
The council earmarked three sites off Dykes of Gray Road South Gray, Swallow Village and Liff South for village-type developments to better manage the city’s growth.
Springfield’s first focus is on South Gray but it is seriously interested in developing the other two.
The 600 homes could be divided across all three sites depending on negotiations for ownership and planning consent. About 100 new jobs would be created by the project.
South Gray would offer a mixture of accommodation and the family-owned developer is keen that it takes inspiration from the surrounding towns and villages.
Chairman Sandy Adam said: “Everyone who buys a Springfield home has the opportunity to tailor it to their needs, and it is this personal approach that we want to take with South Gray.
“We want people from the area to help us shape the village into what they need.
“We are keen to move quickly at South Gray as we know that there is a need for family homes to the west of the city.
“We want to hear the views of the public so that we can put forward plans to the council that will get the ball rolling.”
The houses will be up to silver sustainability standards for energy efficiency and feature the latest in cost-reducing features.
Mr Adam added: “We build to higher standards than required because I believe that it is the building industry’s responsibility to help bring down the cost of heating the average family home. I believe this can be done with energy efficient design.”
The public can give views on the plans at Dundee Contemporary Arts on Wednesday and the Doubletree Hotel on Thursday from noon to 8pm.