Various projects wait to feature in final deal

A number of Angus infrastructure and culture projects feature within the Tay City Deal ambitions.

A link road connecting Montrose to the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway, Montrose port railhead and an engineering centre for Arbroath have all featured in discussions between deal figures including representatives of the three Tayside local authorities.

Arbroath’s Hospitalfield arts centre could also be in line for a large chunk of cultural infrastructure cash, as could efforts to secure a future for the A-listed mortuary chapel in the town’s Western cemetery.

An imminent heads of agreement announcement is expected to clarify what may or may not be delivered.

However, the process has not been without controversy, particularly surrounding proposals for up to 2,500 new homes and industrial units on land at the 45 Commando base at Condor.

Fresh doubts have also been cast over the scale of investment which will ultimately emerge.

Angus coalition administration figures were recently accused of “devaluing” the importance of the deal after it emerged that figurehead David Fairweather was the only council leader not to take part in the discussions.

SNP opposition figures suggested the Angus involvement had also been “shrouded in mystery” from the outset, but claims over a lack of communicationtoelectedmembers were rejected.

The ambition of a food culture hub reaching a projected six-figure annual visitor tally is also likely to lead to questions over whether or not that is a realistic target, following the experience of a failed Pictish heritage centre on the outskirts of Brechin.

Pictavia opened in 1999 to tell the story of the Picts, who left hundreds of artefacts, standing stones and houses in the Angus countryside.

Angus Council closed the £1.2 million attraction in 2014 amid claims the failing centre had been “doomed from the start”.

Brechin Castle Centre received permission to turn the building into a soft play centre.