The project, spearheaded by Monifieth Community Resource Group, will create a community hub near the seafront, incorporating community space, a fitness suite, a café, a toilet and a possible cinema.

Angus Council has already committed £700,000 towards the plans, but the release of £60,000 represents a significant step forward, The Courier reports.

Jean Lee, chairwoman of Monifieth Community Resource Group, said: “Up to now MCRG has managed to pay all the costs for professional fees for surveys, engineer reports, soil analysis, business plans, design plans etc from monies raised locally and profits from our running The Cabin but we have had no development/priming funding at all – it’s very scarce and Monifieth as an area doesn’t qualify for the funding that is around.

“We are absolutely chuffed Angus Council has now agreed to release some of the monies and that they recognise the relevance and viability of our project, and are supporting us in this very tangible way.

“We are very grateful for the help, advice and support we have had from the senior officers within Angus Council. They have been keen to work through any issues with us and find a positive solution, even during the current difficult situation of COVID-19. It all bodes well for the future.”

She added: “Our new website is almost ready for launch and we had planned to have a community event at the beginning of June to raise awareness and update everybody, but that can’t happen now.

“The people of Monifieth can be assured that we’re pushing on with the project and with a fair wind we’ll have a wonderful fit-for-purpose community centre before 2021 is out.”