During 2013 and 2014 Hermiston Securities and Scotia Homes undertook an extensive programme of stakeholder and community engagement, comprising a 2-day community exhibition, workshops, and public consultation on the potential for a residential development at Westfield, from which emerged the concept masterplan and development framework that ultimately informed the decision by Angus Council to allocate the site within the Angus Local Development Plan (LDP).

The LDP housing allocation ‘F4 Housing – Westfield’ provides 38.8ha of land for residential development in the second half of the LDP (2021-2026) alongside additional land safeguarded for further residential development beyond 2026.

In March 2020, an updated masterplan framework was prepared for the ‘F4 Housing – Westfield’ site which took account of the feedback from the current LDP process and subsequent examination, as well as additional input from Angus Council between March and November 2020, when the draft document was consulted on with a range of stakeholders.

The masterplan framework examines the land and visual impact; access and movement; site ecology; and existing constraints to create an informed and considered development proposal. Current and future planning applications will seek to appropriately reflect the development framework design guidelines in parallel with satisfying all current Angus Council and National Planning Policy requirements. 

Hermiston Securities and Scotia Homes said they are committed to consulting with the local community regarding the plans for this important allocated Forfar site and have prepared a virtual consultation to allow the community to engage with the developing scheme and view its masterplan framework proposals in detail.

Graham Reid, land and development director at Scotia Homes, said: “This marks an exciting time as we and our development partners, Hermiston Securities, bring forward plans to develop around 300 high-quality homes, including 75 affordable homes, adjacent to Westfield.

“Angus continues to be a key growth area for our company.

“I am delighted to be able to bring forward our plans to the local community over the coming months.

“While I am disappointed that I cannot personally welcome everyone to a public exhibition, we welcome the opportunity to receive questions and feedback from local residents and other interested parties through our online consultation.

“Any members of the public who are not able to access the online format can contact us by telephone or in writing and we will arrange a time that is mutually beneficial to update them on the proposals.”

Feedback can be provided until February 4.