Documents lodged with Angus Council reveal that Taylor Wimpey expects to complete 35 houses per year following the start of work in January 2016, meaning it could be 2026 until the homes are completed.

However, the company said the build rate “could be increased if there were more than one developer”.

The first home will be complete by November 2016 under current plans.

Cllr Rob Murray told the Dundee Evening Telegraph that the development features “a lot of social housing” and the slow construction would help the council “manage allocations according to demand”.

He told the newspaper: “The fact that the development is likely to be spread out over a longer period of time is a good thing. It means the area will not be swamped with housing and we can manage allocations according to demand.”