A major expansion of a small Buchan village could be poised to go ahead after education officers raised no concerns about the potential impact on a nearby school.
The 37 new homes are proposed for Crimond, nine miles north of Peterhead.
Fraserburgh-based developer Hall and Robertson Ltd has submitted plans for the scheme and has earmarked an area of disused farmland to the south of the village.
Fears have been raised about the impact on Crimond Primary School if the local population rises much beyond its current level of about 800.
However, Aberdeenshire Council’s business officer for the education service has assured planners the school will be able to cope.
There are currently 78 pupils between primaries one to seven, and another 20 in pre-school, while the building has capacity for 191.
In a letter to planners, Mr Bain said: “The proposed development of 37 houses will generate a maximum of 15 pupils on a rating of 0.4 per property.
“There will be no impact on our ability to deliver the service.”
Last night, Crimond councillor Anne Allan said new housing projects were to be welcomed across the north-east.
“Obviously we’ll have to wait and see what comes forward, but houses are needed,” she said.
“Crimond is a nice village, so hopefully people will want to move there. It has a super school with plenty of room classroom-wise and it might just help them in getting another teacher.
“A lot of young couples might move in and it might have an impact over the years.”
The proposed development would include eight affordable houses and a mix of two, three and four-bedroom detached and semi detached properties.
The homes would be built in a rectangular formation around a green area.
The plans are likely to come before councillors in due course.