The 105-year-old Kinloch Primary School was demolished in 2010 with initial plans for the site including a retail development led by Sainsbury’s and Greggs.

After these proposals fell through, there has been little serious developer interest in the 3,360sqm site since.

Angus councillors have now agreed it should be used for new affordable homes.

Council infrastructure director Ian Cochrane said: “The Carnoustie charrette identified a preference for a supermarket on the site and there was also a desire for a public space element.

“The site was marketed openly in 2016 with a targeted approach to deliver this objective.

“This resulted in a legal agreement in 2017 with a the for developer, subject to planning permission and other matters.

“The development, however, subsequently did not proceed due to corporate changes from the interested food store.”

Talks between the council’s economic development and housing teams took place around the feasibility of affordable housing on the land.

The ground is now being transferred to the authority’s housing account at nil cost.

Plans for council housing and open space are being worked on.

Carnoustie Independent councillor David Cheape said: “I am very pleased indeed that this piece of land has been transferred to the housing revenue account and will deliver 14 much-needed new council houses for Carnoustie while retaining a sizeable piece of green space for public use.”