Plans to build the first of more than 200 house in the countryside surrounding a historic mansion near Stonehaven have been approved by Aberdeenshire Council.
The first two phases at Blue Lodge on the Ury Estate are part of a much larger masterplan, which will include a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a 50-bedroomed hotel and restaurant and a supermarket.
The £40million project has been on the table for a number of years, but was stalled when FM Developments went into administration in 2009.
Two years later the scheme was resurrected by parent company FM Ury.
Estate Manager Richard Milne welcomed the decision of the infrastructure services committee to approve the first 51 homes.
“We are glad all the hard work by planners, architects, our team, and the continued support by the local economy has been rewarded with what will be a stunning development to allow Ury mansion’s restoration.
“Ury Estate will bring together an idyllic countryside setting, history and the finest quality of workmanship.
“The infrastructure is well underway at Ury and homes will be starting to be built in September as work commences on the mansion house itself.”
The developers were granted planning permission in principle for 230 homes.
The first 51 properties will be built in two phases, comprising 24 and 27 houses.
They will range in size from four-bed homes to eight-bed mansions and will boast large plots of land and detached garages.
Several planning applications have been submitted and a masterplan has been prepared for the site to give an idea of the overall development.
It includes plans to transform the ruined B-listed Ury House into a boutique hotel and clubhouse.
Councillor Peter Argyle, chairman of the infrastructure services committee, said members were very pleased to see the application put forward and happy to agree it.