Having once provided the building bricks of education, the Academy Court in Forfar now provides the latest and most modern of council houses that people can be proud to call home.

The minister will meet with several tenants, Angus Council elected members and officers today and tour the B-listed buildings which have been redeveloped into 29 high quality affordable homes for social rent - comprising of 18 one bedroom flats, 6 two bedroom flats, 1 three bedroom flat, as well as 4 new-build five bedroom townhouses. Six of these properties are suitable for households with particular needs.

The new-build homes are designed to complement the surrounding properties and still maintain their own individual identity. High levels of thermal insulation, air tightness and passive solar gain, coupled with careful use of non-toxic materials, provide comfortable, efficient and healthy homes. The properties meet barrier-free design criteria and include a range of home safety measures including sprinkler systems.

Angus Council’s housing spokesperson Councillor Craig Fotheringham said: “I am delighted to host this visit to the new Academy Court so that the Minister can see the transformation first-hand. There has been a fantastic response to these new homes, with over 700 people coming along to the Open Day in July.

“These are modern homes with a number of innovative and exciting technologies, coupled with the history of the buildings, have made these homes attractive to our tenants. I’m positive that this enthusiasm will be retained and future generations will also be proud to call Academy Court ‘home’.”