Councillors praised the developer behind plans for 50 homes in an Aberdeenshire village yesterday.
The Formartine area committee approved the plans for Foveran, and said it promised to be a “very good development”.
The homes will be built to the north of the village, near Westfield Cottage and will be a mix of one, two, three and four bedrooms.
Residents will also have access to an orchard and play area.
Ellon and district councillor Isobel Davidson said: “I am pretty content with this proposal, it is really nice to see something a little bit different, houses that are a little more modern, and that is very, very welcome.”
Fellow local councilor Richard Thomson added: “I think this promises to be a very good development, very good properties of a high standard of design.
“As a resident of Foveran myself it certainly will change the character in the village – myself, I think, for the better.”
Councillors were told access to the site would be from the A90 Aberdeen to Ellon road, however no residents would be able to move into the site until 2017 and scheduled roadworks had been completed.
By this point, the A90 will be dualled from Tipperty and “de-trunked” around Foveran, so it will be less busy.
A Scotia Homes spokesman said: “The development offers a broad range of house types. The development incorporates a new gateway entrance. The new access will also ensure that the rural character of the Cultercullen road will be retained.”