ANGUS LOCAL PLAN REVIEW FINALISED PLAN - Angus Council

Community Service ProvisionCOMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES2.85 Each of the Angus towns provides a range of social, educationand health services. In rural areas, particularly the more remoteAngus Glens, the range and distribution of facilities and theiraccessibility is a challenge for service providers. A strong communitysupport network enhances the quality of life for Angus residents, canhelp prevent or reverse rural depopulation and can provideemployment opportunities.2.86 Angus Council will work in partnership with other public andprivate sector agencies and the voluntary sector in seeking tomaintain and enhance basic service provision and delivery ofcommunity and health services in Angus, particularly in ruralcommunities. The provision of new services and initiatives, whichincrease the accessibility of facilities, will be encouraged.Healthcare2.87 The local healthcare trust, NHS Tayside, has a considerablelandholding in the area. There are hospital facilities in all the towns,except Kirriemuir, and in rural locations at Stracathro, Hillside andStrathmartine. Reorganisation of healthcare facilities may lead toredevelopment opportunities and the Plan makes provision foralternative uses for these sites to be considered.Policy SC34 : Healthcare FacilitiesBuildings and grounds associated with existing and proposedhealthcare facilities throughout Angus will be reserved forhealthcare use. Where sites become available for redevelopment,alternative uses, which are in line with the policies of the LocalPlan, will be encouraged.Education2.88 Angus Council provides nursery, primary, secondary and specialneeds education facilities within the Council area. There are furthereducation facilities based in Arbroath at Angus College.2.89 School facilities often provide a valuable community facilitywithin the areas they serve, for example, use of school playing fieldsfor sport and recreation and local community education or eveningclasses. Where possible this additional role for schools will besupported. Provision for new or replacement education facilities isconsidered in the Settlement Statements in Part 4 of the Local Plan,including where school provision is required to support further housingdevelopment. In particular the Carnoustie and Forfar Schools PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) project proposes new and replacementprimary schools in those burghs.2.90 School rolls throughout the area continue to fluctuate inresponse to changing population numbers, structure and distribution.Small rural primary schools in particular can be affected by low ordecreasing school rolls, and can come under pressure to close orAngus Local Plan Review46Finalised Plan