Plans for the first phase of a luxury housing development in Aberdeenshire have won the backing of local councillors.
The proposals for Ury Estate, near Stonehaven, also include a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a 50-bedroom hotel with restaurant and a supermarket.
The £40million project, which has been on the table for years, stalled after FM Developments went into administration in 2009, but was resurrected two years later by parent company FM Ury.
The developers have planning permission in principle for 230 homes and applications for the first 51 properties were discussed by the Kincardine and Mearns area committee yesterday.
The houses, which would be built in two phases of 24 and 27, range in size from four-bedroom homes to eight-bedroomed mansions and will boast large plots of land with detached garages.
Stonehaven councillor Peter Bellarby highlighted the need for a public transport plan for the site, which is one of the conditions for planning permission.
He said: “I think there are some transport issues as there is no immediate access to a bus route.
“The only route that goes along the A90 is a very long distance service that does not stop until Forfar.”
A bridge over the River Cowie is also planned as part of later stages of the development to link the housing areas.
A masterplan for the site – for which several planning applications have been submitted – was prepared so officers could get an idea of the overall development.
It includes plans to transform the ruined B-listed Ury House into a boutique hotel and clubhouse.
An application for affordable housing has not yet been submitted as the location previously identified is unavailable because it is needed for the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
A report prepared for yesterday’s meeting said FM Ury would make “every effort” to provide affordable housing as part of the development but will make a cash contribution if this is not possible.
The planning applications will now be discussed by members of the infrastructure services committee.