According to The Courier, the near 18-hectare development by Elite Homes (Tayside) Ltd at Turfbeg will change the shape of the town at its north-western reaches and border the soon-to-begin Forfar Community Campus.

The land is currently used for farming.

Guild Homes, Elite’s project partners, describe the proposed development as being situated in one of the most sought-after parts of Forfar, near to the town centre and close to Forfar Loch Country Park.

In her report to the development standards committee, which meets today, Vivien Smith, head of planning and place, recommends the project’s approval.

Ms Smith states that it would address an identified shortfall in the five-year effective housing land supply in the west Angus housing market area in a way that is broadly compliant to development plan policy.

She said: “Potential impacts associated with the development can be appropriately mitigated and there are no material planning considerations that justify refusal of the application.”

Forfar Community Council expressed opposition to the multi-million-pound project due to concerns they have about local road links.

However, the developers have offered to work with the community in a bid to find solutions.

Associated roads, landscaping and community facilities are all included in the proposals.

Among other objections have been concerns about the size of the development; that it is not needed in Forfar; and that the housing needs for this part of Angus should not be met by Forfar alone.

During consultation, it was identified that the population increase that would follow the construction of 300 homes could present a challenge to school rolls at a time when primary and secondary schools are already close to capacity.

However, education officials indicated this could be offset by a financial contribution from the developers towards the necessary cost of improving the school infrastructure that would ensure capacity demands could be met.

If the planning application is approved, the first houses north of Turfbeg could be finished next year, when the new Forfar Academy is scheduled to be ready within the community campus.