Delay in Decision on Appeal Against Angus Council’s Refusal for Arbroath Flats.

A decision on an appeal against Angus Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for 15 flats next to the Websters Theatre in Arbroath has been delayed.
An application seeking permission to build a four-storey block on the site was first lodged with Angus Council in December 2023.
Under the proposals, submitted by Dundee construction firm George Martin Builders, a four-storey block would be erected on the site.
This would be a mixture of eight two-bedroom and seven one-bedroom flats.
The proposed site sits next to Websters theatre and up until 2021 was occupied by an office block.
 Noise concern
However, in December last year council officers refused planning permission for the new development under delegated powers.
The bid was rejected for several reasons, including concerns from environmental health officers who said noise from the neighbouring theatre could pose a risk of complaints from residents.
The developer subsequently appealed the refusal.
Members of Angus Council’s development management review committee were set to decide on the appeal at a meeting on Tuesday.
However, councillors delayed the decision pending a visit to the site.
During Tuesday’s meeting, councillors argued the housing situation in Angus had evolved since the initial refusal – with the local authority having now declared a housing emergency.
Councillors also wanted to judge whether the proposal would complement the character of the surrounding area.
The applicants have also been asked to prepare a new noise assessment.
Committee convener Bill Duff said: “I’d like to judge whether we’ve been a little bit harsh on the developer here.
“There’s a lot hanging on making the right decision.
“If we were to reject the appeal, the question has to be asked what would happen to the gap site?” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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