Objections to Forfar HMO vetted before being posted online due to legal concerns
More than 600 objections to an application to convert a former Forfar care home into a house of multiple occoupation (HMO) had to be vetted by Angus Council before being released to the public domain.
The local authority removed the comments from its online planning portal amid concerns that they could be defamatory.
Hundreds of people responded to the change of use application for the former 35-bed Lochbank Manor care home, which closed in August 2024.
An Ayrshire company, Veriton Group Ltd lodged the proposal in October. In December, it issued a statement after local speculation that Lochbank would be used to house asylum seekers.
It said the HMO “does not relate to the housing of asylum seekers or immigrants.”
It said it was exploring “social housing options based on actual demand.”
At the same time, the council said it was temporarily removing public comments to scrutinise them for potentially defamatory or inappropriate statements.
These have now been reinstated in the comments section of the online application, although some redactions have been made.
The objections cover a range of concerns including increased pressure on local services, such as GP surgeries and schools, as well as a shortage of parking in the local area.
Angus Council roads department has asked for the applicants to submit a transport assessment as part of the planning application.