The news came at a meeting held in the town last week, with Angus Council's head of housing, Alan McKeown.

It had been expected that discussions would take place on possible locations for the site.

But instead local residents were informed that no funding had been made available by the council - and the proposals to create the transitory travelling persons site would not be going ahead.

The Scottish Government has been undertaking a review of provisions and funding for travelling persons sites but this has still to be completed.

A spokesperson for the government said that while the total amount of funding has been allocated, the review is ongoing and there is no further breakdown for local areas yet.

A spokesperson for Angus Council said: "Angus Council is not actively considering locations for transit sites for travellers and has no resources earmarked in its capital plan for such sites.

"The council awaits Scottish Government direction regarding the future of travellers' services but as far as Angus Council is aware, it is not anticipated that the Government will make additional funding available in the short term.

"If the situation alters in the future, the council would discuss the position and would consult with interested parties on what a transit site would contain and where it would be sited."

Ferryden community councillor Gordon Brown, who was at last week's meeting, said: "I am very disappointed at the meeting. It was a bit vague.

"They said there is nothing on the cards at present, and there is no funding available for the next three years.

"They're looking into whether any other source would fund it."

Mr Brown said that he had been waiting a long time as the original meeting was planned for January, almost six months ago.

He said: "The meeting lasted 40 minutes and we wondered why we were brought out when there was no news. It was a total change of tack.

"There is nothing we can do. Angus Council are not going to provide a facility so there is nothing for us to push. It is very difficult to do anything at the moment."

Angus Council said last month there was no truth to rumours that Broomfield had been selected as a location for the site. They said no decisions would be made until the Scottish Government review had been completed.