The old made way for the new in Forfar yesterday as work began on a new social housing development at Viewmount.

Over the next few weeks a total of 34 unattractive, low demand flats will be demolished to make way for new affordable, social housing by Angus Council.

The doomed properties have proved unpopular with people seeking social housing in recent years and were felt to impact negatively on the surrounding area, including Reid and Steele parks.

They will be replaced by a mix of two and three-bedroomed properties, built to Scottish Building Standards’ silver sustainability standard, which measures the energy efficiency of new homes.

Also included in the plans are four adapted properties for people with disabilities.

A £650,000 grant subsidy from the Scottish Government has been secured to supplement our own funding for this much-needed affordable housing and we anticipate the construction of the 11 new-build houses will take place between January 2017 and March 2018.

Communities convener, Cllr Donald Morrison, said: “This housing development will help us to meet the high demand for this type of social housing in Forfar and increase choice for people with disabilities.

“We believe that everybody has the right to good quality housing and we’re delighted that demolition is now underway and that the refurbishment of the Park entrances will further enhance the area.”

During October, work will begin on Phase one of the Steele Park entrance refurbishment. This will include a new entrance to Reid Park from Viewmount, a new footpath from Steele Park to the existing footpath at Reid Park, and car parking spaces for 21 vehicles.

Completion of this phase is expected by the end of November 2016. Access between the Steele and Reid Parks may be limited during this time.

A week long consultation with residents about the proposed car park layout and what they would like to see at the play park area took place recently. Angus Council supported this consultation by Viewmount Voices and Glenview Action group, which involved drop-in and outreach sessions as well as fun consultation sessions for children and young people at the park.

A spokesperson from Viewmount Voices said: “We are delighted to see the flats coming down and look forward to seeing the new houses develop.”

A group has now been formed to carry out more detailed consultation about the play park and the equipment that the community and its young people would like to see.

Communities officer, Jennifer Anderson, said: “The group is looking at funding options to deliver these improvements and its members have been working hard to engage with the whole local community, who are delighted to be involved.”