Plans to build 700 new homes in Inverurie is finally set to progress more than a decade after proposals first emerged.
The Crichie development, situated near Port Elphinstone, was first proposed back in 2012, but has been subject to years of delays amid a back-and-forth between Aberdeenshire Council and developers Dandara Homes.
However, the plans could finally be given the go-ahead after road chiefs agreed on plans to include an A96 underpass at the proposed site at the southern end of the town.
The designs include an adoptable footpath and cycleway that would connect the development to the western side of the Aberdeen to Inverness road, as well as upgrades to the Port Elphinstone roundabout.
Planning permission was first granted in principle back in 2018 for 737 new homes, transport upgrades and land for a new business park.
But the plans have since been expanded to include space for a new primary school and sports pitches in the Aberdeenshire town
.
Get all the latest Aberdeen news and headlines sent straight to your inbox by signing up to our free newsletter.
From breaking news in and around the city, to traffic and travel and health, we’ve got you covered.
The manually created newsletter arrives every day at around 4pm, giving you a round up of the most important stories we’ve covered that day.
To sign up, simply click this link here.
And if you aren’t already, make sure you join the conversation over on our Facebook Groups and Aberdeen Live Instagram.
Dandara cited the cost of road upgrades as the reason behind years of delays, which they had stated would have “undermined the viability and deliverability of the site.”
The site would contain a mixture of one to four-bed terraced, detached and semi-detached homes, as well as affordable housing and properties available for social rent, mid-market rent and low-cost shared equity.
The Crichie project comes amid plans for expansion in Inverurie, with Cala Homes having previously put forward plans to create 100 new properties in the town.
You can view more on the plans here.