Plans for the multi-million pound expansion of a Deeside town have been lodged.
North Banchory Company unveiled a blueprint for hundreds of homes, dozens of businesses and community facilities in November 2012, and has since been consulting with locals and reshaping the proposals.
Now a masterplan for 395 homes has been lodged with Aberdeenshire Council, as well as an application for planning permission in principle for the first phase of the development at Lochside of Leys.
The application is for about 60 homes on a site adjoining the Loch of Leys nature conservation site.
The properties will be a mix of one to five-bedroom properties, which will be linked an existing biomass district-heating system in the area.
The proposals also include space for local shops and business land, as well as community facilities such as play areas and a new football pitch.
North Banchory Company has teamed up with Bancon Developments for the project, and lodged the application yesterday after months of public exhibitions and meetings with Banchory Community Council.
Under the plans, the existing road from Raemoir to the Hirn road will also be upgraded.
In a statement, the firms said yesterday: “This is, of course, only an outline application to establish the principle of the development.
“The housing will be phased over several years, so various detailed applications will follow in due course. It is hoped that the initial phase of development – which will comprise around 60 houses – will start in the east end of the site in spring next year.
“It is anticipated that building will proceed westwards from there, over the course of the next six or seven years.”
When he unveiled the full £100million masterplan in 2012, Alexander Burnett, managing director of the North Banchory Company, said it was the “logical expansion” of the town.
At Hill of Banchory, a neighbourhood centre – consisting of a 60-bed care home, medical centre, dental surgery, shops, offices and restaurants – could be built in the future.
The developer also hopes to eventually build a further 30 properties on land near arts centre Woodend Barn to form a demonstration eco-village.
Space has also been allocated for a replacement Banchory Academy and a park-and-ride service to Aberdeen.