Architects have paid tribute to D J Laing Homes as the firm celebrated 30 years of building new homes in Dundee and Angus.

Part of the D J Laing Group which was established by David and Dorothy Laing as a civil engineering contractor in 1975, the business diversified into housebuilding in November 1986 and waste recycling in 1992.

The company currently employs 100 team members and 40 local sub contractors.

Managing director David Laing said: “The success of our company relies on our skilled workforce consistently achieving high standards and we are committed to developing their skills to provide an outstanding quality product for our clients.”

D J Laing Homes’ first project was the refurbishment of two cottages at Long Row, Easthaven. Since then, the company has built over 600 new homes on 25 new housing developments in Carnoustie, Dundee, Letham, Brechin and Arbroath.

The company’s largest development to date was at Ballumbie in Dundee where 223 brand new homes were built from 1999 to 2012. The development proved to be so popular that some house buyers queued up for up to a week following a release.

In 1999 the company carried out extensive work on a former jute mill which was in an extremely dilapidated condition and transformed the building into its headquarters, now known as Laing House. This building enjoys a panoramic view of Carnoustie’s championship golf course and won an Angus Design award for the building’s design by local architects, the Voigt Partnership.

Heinz Voigt, director of the Voigt Partnership, said: “In 1991 we grasped the opportunity with both hands to work with D J Laing as we recognised their drive and ambition to grow into the renowned business they are today. In the early years we had a lot to prove to Dave Laing but his risk with us has matured into a lasting relationship which we still value today and we are still as passionate in achieving the goals set by D J Laing today as we have been over all these years. Their homes division has grown in stature since their tentative venture into the Housing Development Market experimenting with innovative design and construction techniques and today they can pride themselves in providing quality homes for their customers to live in and enjoy.

“We look forward to the next 30 years where client and friendships have merged into a lasting and valued relationship working together in order to produce the homes of the future. We wish DJ Laing Homes every success in achieving their goals and high standards for the years to come.”

D J Laing has also worked in partnership with Angus Housing Association in providing 74 much need affordable homes in Carnoustie, namely 1 and 2 bedroom flats and 2 and 3 bedroom homes.

Bruce Forbes, director at Angus Housing Association, said: “Since 2004, Angus Housing Association has enjoyed a very positive and constructive working relationship with D J Laing Homes. Together, we have built over 70 affordable houses for rent in Carnoustie which have made a significant contribution to meeting housing need in a pressurised market area. We hope to build on this relationship in the coming years to deliver more homes for rent, especially as D J Laing Homes is a local company which like us, has genuine roots in the communities they work in.”

With a healthy land bank the company’s future workload looks secure.

D J Laing’s latest development at Malt Loan – the former Paul’s Malt site - is currently proving popular in Victoria Street, Carnoustie. A planning application has been submitted for the next phase providing thirty seven 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes which is due to commence in early 2017.

A planning application has also been submitted for a new private housing development at Aberlady Crescent in Dundee comprising of 96 units. This development is due to start in January 2017 and will offer 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes for entry from the summer of 2017.

D J Laing’s vision for Carnoustie may soon be realised if planning permission is approved for the 24 acre business park and 274 homes at Upper Victoria/Pitskelly. This development will provide much needed business industrial units on the edge of town close to existing infrastructure.

It will also allow the regeneration of the Maltings and Panmure Industrial Estate site to relocate to a new modern purpose built business park and reduce HGV traffic in a residential area. But most of all, these proposed developments will continue the business for future generations and safeguard local employment.