Millions of pounds will be invested to make sure a new housing development in Aberdeen is among the greenest parts of the city.
Construction is underway on the 3,000 Stewart Milne Project at Countesswells which will accommodate around 7,000 residents once complete.
A quarter of the 17,760,452sq ft site has been earmarked for open space which will include four parks.
There will also be around a mile of new paths, four new bridges over a burn alongside an orchard and an amenity lawn.
Later this year more than 600 new trees will be planted including Scots pine, birch, oak, lime, horse chestnut, alder, hornbeam, rowan, cherry and willow with the aim of adding to the appeal of the woodland area.
Jim Fitzsimons, the Counteswells project director, said the green spaces would be “taking root” by the time new residents move in.
He said: “Good quality green space offers environmental, social and economic benefits to communities and these were key considerations in the design of the new development.
“The parkland has been carefully located to connect the community and the neighbouring Hazlehead Woods and Countesswells Woods.
“The open spaces at the heart of the community also provide a new waterway corridor through which the Cults Burn will flow.
“These core features are being created before the first homes are built to allow an early establishment of the landscape setting.
“By starting this work now, we are ensuring that the landscape and green spaces will have taken root and be starting to flourish by the time many new residents move in.”
He added: “It’s already exciting to see the green spaces coming to life as it really sets the context for what Countesswells represents.
“It’s also a major investment in and commitment to the quality of environment we’re creating for residents and for the wider city region.”
Work on bringing essential utilities such as gas, electricity and telecommunication services to the development has resulted in
the Cults to Kingswells road being closed from August 19 to December 16.