Twelfth century meets the 21st on the rise just off the A92 Montrose Road in what is the latest clear signal of efforts to transform and reconnect the town and its people - providing high quality affordable housing, as well as better community spaces in Angus.

The £7 million Abbey Quarter development – on the footprint of Guthrie Hill and Smithy Croft – is supported by £2.3m of Scottish Government grant funding and will provided much-needed homes for rent near the town centre, where previously there were unloved and unpopular multi-storey blocks.

The 28 one-bedroom flats and two wheelchair-adapted properties will help to meet the significant demand for these types of rented property in Arbroath. There will be 40 units in total across the development, with two, three and four bedroom homes also available.

Elected members met council officials onsite today to view the developments first stages up close and discuss the plans in detail.

Communities convener, Cllr Craig Fotheringham, said: “I’m delighted to see the progress being made here at Abbey Quarter. This project will assist us in providing more high quality places that people are proud to call home. The design is contemporary, but sits perfectly alongside our historic Abbey and I am certain the people will be delighted to live here.”

Communities vice-convener, Cllr Lois Speed, added: “It has been exciting to see this development take shape. There’s no doubt that, when completed, it will enhance the area and help improve the lives of all those that will be offered a home here.

“It’s also great to see more housing options being provided for households who have a disability. It is vital that we continue to increase our stock of accessible barrier free homes to help tackle the growing demand and pressures on those individuals and families who require this type of property.”

Hadden Group managing director, Steven Brady, said: “We’re pleased with the progress made to date on the construction works. Much of this has been in the ground but, now the superstructure is underway, you will rapidly see the buildings taking shape.”

Pat Millar, a community representative on the Arbroath Locality Partnership, said: “It’s great to see the area really taking shape. Housing-led regeneration projects are a key component in our Arbroath Locality Partnership’s vision to make Arbroath a better place to live, work and visit.

“But it’s about more than aiming for high quality housing for all – it is about improving the town’s infrastructure and its environment so Arbroath is more accessible and more enjoyable for people to get around, to live, work and play.

“It’s also about helping to make Arbroath more attractive for employers and visitors so we can improve the economy and reduce poverty by improving job prospects and helping to raise household incomes.”

With the foundations in place and the frames of the homes now beginning to appear, it is anticipated that the project will be completed in 2020.