Latest news with #AngusCouncil
The Courier
17 hours ago
- General
- The Courier
Carnoustie man fights on in static caravan battle after admitting bid to block council removal
A Carnoustie man now facing a council bill for the removal of an unlawful static caravan from his garden is vowing to continue his two-year planning fight. On Monday, Angus Council took direct action to clear the one-time Airbnb holiday home in Ireland Street. It has been at the centre of a lengthy planning tussle which ended in potential disaster last month. Mr Lindsay's garden borders the main east coast rail line. He knocked down part of a concrete wall while trying to bring the caravan back into the garden in breach of a council enforcement order. Rail services between Dundee and Aberdeen were suspended for hours during the clear-up operation. It had been hanging over the pavement at Ireland Street since May 22, until contractors arrived to move it on Monday morning. However, it involved a day-long operation during which Mr Lindsay, 50, admitted using his Tesla car to block the caravan in to prevent it being towed away. He said he has been told he must foot the removal bill. The mobile home is now in a storage yard. 'There was a bundle of complaints from neighbours, then roads got involved,' he said. 'Roads were very good, they were patient with me. But they said it was obstructing the pavement. 'They gave me a date to remove it on my own, or they would remove it at cost to me. 'Yesterday (Monday) was D-Day. 'I was trying my best to move it on my own. Two feet was all I had left to go.' He added: 'There was a bit of a protest from me because I parked my car in front of it. 'They then said they would tow the car, which could have damaged it because it is electric. 'I was weighing up my options – my car or the caravan.' He continued: 'I'm still overwhelmed by the whole situation. It stinks of abuse of power against the little guy.' He added: 'I don't know where the money is going to come from. I told them I can't afford it being removed.' Mr Lindsay lodged an application for a certificate of lawful use for the caravan in April. He says it is now stripped out and will be used for garden storage and as a family snug. But he previously admitted 'jumping the gun' by trying to bring the mobile home back on site before an official decision on the application. 'My legal argument is it's a former caravan that's now a structure. 'I will take the wheels off and use it for storage and to play games, pool etc. 'It's whether they (the council) think it's a caravan, the burden of proof is on them. 'If my application is refused, I have an appeal process.' An Angus Council spokesperson said: 'The removal of the caravan was the conclusion of a legal process followed by Angus Council.' It said it would be 'liaising with the owner regarding next steps'. 'The planning application is pending decision and has a determination deadline of June 14,' the spokesperson added.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Liquidators appointed to Scottish school bus company
Fishers Tours was a Dundee-based private hire coach company that provided short and long-distance travel in Scotland. The company employed 27 people and operated from Mid Craigie Industrial Estate with a fleet of 18 coaches. The liquidator said: "In recent months, the business has faced financial challenges amidst rising costs but operated with fixed price customer contracts, which impacted its ability to meet its financial obligations." READ MORE: The business ceased trading and on appointment of the joint provisional liquidators all staff were made redundant. The liquidator also said: "All services, including pre-booked hires, group travel and music event travel, have ceased. Customers with bookings are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements, while customers who have paid deposits are advised to speak to their bank or credit card provider." Dundee City Council and Angus Council are "making arrangements to ensure the continuity of school transport services". Alistair McAlinden, managing director at Interpath and joint provisional liquidator of Fishers Tours Limited, said: "Fishers Tours has been a core part of the local transport network in the Dundee City and Angus region for more than two decades and we recognise the devastating impact the closure of the business will have on staff, customers and wider community. "Regrettably, all bookings and services have been cancelled and customers are advised to seek alternative arrangements and engage with their bank or credit card provider if a deposit has been paid. As provisional liquidators, our immediate focus is to explore the circumstances of the liquidation and support affected employees to ensure they have access to the necessary guidance in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Office."
The Courier
2 days ago
- The Courier
Forfar Gables sale on the cards as council snubs vandalism bill FOI query
The possible sale of the vandal-hit Gables centre in Forfar is back on the agenda. The centre for adults with learning disabilities has lain empty since its residents were moved to Forfar's former Beech Hill House care home in 2023. Since then, the Arbroath Road property has become a magnet for vandals. A fire there in February was the latest in a series of incidents. Next week, a confidential report on possible disposal of The Gables will go before councillors. It could see affordable housing plans for the site rejuvenated. The move comes as Angus Council has snubbed questions around how much has been spent there since the shutters went up. Plans for an affordable housing transformation were first drawn up in 2018. And in 2020, councillors approved the transfer of the land to Caledonia Housing Association. But the £3.5 million project didn't materialise due to soaring costs. It was scrapped in 2022. The council recently confirmed the land transfer never went ahead. In April, the housing association said it remained in talks with Angus Council. A spokesperson for Caledonia said: 'We are aware that a report relating to The Gables site in Forfar is due to be considered by Angus Council's policy committee next week. 'We are not yet privy to the detail of the report or its recommendations.' Despite the empty centre being directly next door to Forfar fire station, brazen youths have repeatedly broken in. Images following the fire in February revealed the shocking state inside the building. It included widespread damage to the main lounge and kitchen, graffiti, and burnt furniture. Through Freedom of Information (FOI), The Courier sought answers to several questions relating to the building. These included the number of incidents of unauthorised entry or vandalism, and how often Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue had been involved. The amount spent on repairs and security measures was also requested. A response – due within 20 working days of the April 8 request – is yet to be received. The council has also failed to respond to follow-up emails seeking an update on the FOI request's progress.
The Courier
7 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
New council power team to hold on to £1m SNP fighting fund for Angus rebuild
Ousted SNP councillors say they will be 'watching closely' how a million-pound fund to rebuild Angus is used by the group which dumped them from power. The £1 million Angus infrastructure fund was revealed when the council set its budget in February. It was a surprise announcement by the then SNP-led administration. And the fund was the key difference between its budget and opposition proposals. Ex-leader Bill Duff planned to use it to unlock around £20m of extra borrowing capacity. He said it would 'restore basic infrastructure that has suffered from underinvestment and climate-related damage for some time.' Rebuilding Brechin after Storm Babet and combating the threat of coastal erosion at Montrose were given as examples. But it proved to be the SNP's last big move before they lost control of Angus Council. A new multi-party coalition grabbed power in April after securing a vote of no confidence in the ruling group. It is led by one-time stand-in SNP chief George Meechan and Arbroath Conservative Derek Wann. Kirriemuir councillor Mr Meechan confirmed the seven-figure fund will stay in the spending plans. 'The administration group have no plans to change the overall concept of the infrastructure fund,' he said. Former leader Mr Duff said: 'I very much welcome that the incoming administration recognise the value of the innovative infrastructure fund introduced in February's budget by the SNP/Independent administration. 'This offers over £20m of additional capital resource. 'This initial investment will start to address Angus's serious infrastructure requirements. 'Specifically, we were very conscious of the need to spend capital on dealing with the aftermath of Storm Babet and the reconstruction required in Brechin, and the impacts of coastal erosion in Montrose, both impacts of global warming. 'As the public will know, neither the then opposition budget nor the non-aligned budget addressed these two critical issues.' 'We will be watching carefully how this fund is used.'
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Angus Planning Ahead: Campsite expansion go-ahead and name change for WH Smith stores
Approval has been given to a caravan and campsite upgrade in the grounds of a former Angus jail. The campsite is already in place at Gardeners Cottage on what was previously Noranside open prison estate. It was initially set up as a five-pitch facility under a Camping and Caravanning Club exemption certificate in 2019. Angus Council planning officials have now granted change of use permission under delegated powers which will lift the 'members only' status. The green light means new pitches and improved welfare facilities for visitors can be created. The council's handling report stated: 'The proposal would allow for an expansion of the existing business and an improvement to the tourism facilities on offer at the site. 'The applicant resides at Gardeners Cottage, adjacent to the site, and a condition is attached to ensure this property is only occupied by someone associated with the campsite operation.' The replacement name for WH Smith may soon appear on Arbroath and Montrose outlets. TG Jones has applied for permission to put new signs on the long-established shops at 196-212 High Street, Arbroath and 59-61 High Street in Montrose. Earlier this year, WH Smith sold its 500 high street stores to Modella Capital. The Angus outlets were part of the £76 million deal for the 233-year-old company. TG Jones says the signs will be like-for-like replacements. This will ensure that no historic features of the conservation area properties are covered up. The separate applications will be considered in due course. There are plans for the redevelopment of historic cottages in the village of Friockheim. An application has come forward to replace 10/11 Gardyne Street and add a detached bungalow in the large rear garden area. The single storey cottages sit next to the Star Inn and the former village post office. A design statement from Ian Rodger Architects says they are in a poor condition. The proposal is to create an infill with the two new homes on the street façade. Each would be a two-storey, three bedroom house. The proposed two-bedroom bungalow would be accessed by a pend from Gardyne Street. The application is yet to be determined. Permission is being sought for a new house in a Muirhead garden. The application has been submitted for the property at 7 Newtyle Road. Plans show a two-storey, three-bedroom home on a 477 square metre site. The applicants say around 450 sq m of garden would remain. The proposed house would be finished in light render and Denfind stone, with a natural slate roof. Angus Council is yet to determine the application. The Angus Council planning portal links to the applications can be found at: Noranside caravan site Arbroath TG Jones signs Montrose TG Jones signs Friockheim houses Muirhead home
