Construction has begun on more than 90 new homes on a Mearns country estate.
Mackie Village is designed to bankroll the development of an £80 million golf course, designed by legendary American golfer Jack Nichlaus, at the Ury Estate in Stonehaven.
Plans for the site, which are being led by FM Group, also include the redevelopment of Ury House into a hotel.
The affordable scheme, which is being built by FMR Construction, is made up of 33 houses and 58 three-storey flats.
The homes will be sold off by Hillcrest Housing Association.
Yesterday ground was broken at the site at a ceremony attended by West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie and Stonehaven councillors Sarah Dickinson and Sandy Wallace.
Members of the community council were also in attendance.
Andrew Rae, from FMR, was also there to watch as the first sod was cut at the site.
He said: “The Mackie Village project is a great opportunity for us to work with Hillcrest on Ury Estate.
“FM Group has a long-term programme of works in the north-east and will be involved in new infrastructure, the redevelopment of Ury House and further housing in the area. We will be looking to establish a strong management team and that task is currently under way.”
Earlier this month work finally began on a long-awaited 40,364 sq ft supermarket for the site.
Located at the south-western corner of the Ury Estate, the site of the future supermarket lies adjacent to the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road, and the Slug Road, to the north of the seaside towns.
Angela Linton, Hillcrest’s chief executive, added: “This is our first development in Aberdeenshire and Hillcrest is looking forward to working with FMR Construction to provide 91 much needed affordable homes in Stonehaven.
“Hillcrest appreciates the support from Aberdeenshire Council and our funders, The Scottish Government, in helping to bring this project to fruition.”
