The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Ambitious £6m plans unveiled to convert hospital site to houses
Former Little Cairnie location could see 49 new homes built
Plans for a £6 million housing development on a former hospital site have been submitted to Angus Council.
Chamberlain Bell Developments Ltd have applied to create 49 homes on the 2.2 hectare site of Little Cairnie Hospital in Arbroath, which closed in 2015.
The site had been cleared of several buildings by NHS Tayside before the sale, for an undisclosed sum.
NHS Tayside has confirmed the sale is yet to be concluded but that it is not contingent on planning permission being granted.
The sole remaining building – the administration block – would be made into four homes.
As well as the 45 new homes there are new access roads and drainage infrastructure planned.
A design and access statement by Fouin & Bell Architects on behalf of the applicant says: “Houses of two, three and four bedrooms will be offered within a site that is set within a secure brick and stone wall boundary and surrounded by a belt of existing mature trees.
“A strong desire to preserve the existing character of the site as much as possible was established at the outset with the aim of retaining the trees, existing boundary brick and stone walls, hedgerows, roads and gate features with minimal alterations.”
Initial talks with the council’s roads department found the site entrance meets visibility requirements, with minor alterations.
The gatehouse, clearly seen from the A933 Arbroath to Forfar and Brechin road, is privately owned and not part of the plans.
The developer is proposing to remove the north wing of the administration building to provide more garden space.
David Bell from Chamberlain Bell said Hillcrest Housing in Dundee was a partner on the project, which was expected to cost £6.2m.
He said: “Some of that investment is coming from outside investors in Israel. I think it’s going to be an amazing development and an exciting addition to the area.
“The planning application has been submitted and we’ve had no objections at all to what we’re proposing to do.
“All we have to do now is have a discussion with the roads department about how bin lorries will navigate the road.”
The hospital was built at the start of the 20th Century as an epidemic hospital to treat infectious diseases.
The plans at the time caused concern among people who lived near the 35-bed hospital and some town councillors argued it was too close to Arbroath.
However, the council assured residents it was the best location available and that all “difficulties and dangers” had been considered.
A block to the north, for TB patients, was added in the 1920s. It was demolished in the 1990s. In 1950 the hospital was converted for geriatric patients.