Ellon residents have been given their first glimpse of plans to build nearly 1,000 homes in the town.
As part of a series of three consultations, Scotia Homes laid out its vision for a “neighbourhood expansion” which includes 980 houses, employment land and community facilities at Cromleybank.
The proposals also include creating a bypass to take traffic bound for the A90 Aberdeen-Peterhead road away from the town centre.
Dozens of residents attended an exhibition and examined information panels before questioning the Scotia team.
Director Derrick Thomson said: “We’ve had a good turnout. It’s been excellent to get a range of comments that we will take on board before the next consultation.
“It’s good to take people through the phases of the development of 980 houses and how that will happen over the next 10-15 years.”
Under the plans, 745 homes would be built in the first phase of the development.
By the time the 400th is complete, the developer will have to ensure the bypass – which will take traffic from the A920 Oldmeldrum-Ellon road on to the B9005 South Road and out to the A90 – is finished.
Land has also been allocated for a fourth primary school and community facilities.
Mr Thomson added: “There’s been discussions about a new doctor’s surgery and interest from a couple of churches. The land is there, we’ve allocated it so we will wait to have discussions now.
“People can see the need for neighbourhood retail, and we do not want to build anything that will take away from the town centre.”
One visitor to the exhibition, Jim Morrison, was of the opinion that the town centre needed more shops.
“There’s far too many houses,” he said. “It’s far too big a development.
“We need more shops in Ellon like Marks & Spencer, and I can’t see where they would go in this development.”
Craighall resident Kathleen Duncan questioned the impact the scheme would have on traffic, and the GP surgery and dental practices.
She said: “The bypass is one advantage – cutting off from the A920 will take away some of the traffic – but it’s a large development.”
But Craig Wallace was more positive.
He said: “Ellon is changing all the time and Ithink these plans are good.”
Scotia hopes to lodge its full planning application in March.
Details of the other two consultations are yet to be finalised.