A Moray community is being asked to help shape a new neighbourhood development which could bring 1,500 homes to the region over the next 20 years.
The proposed site to the north of Elgin would be created around Findrassie Woods and Myreside Farm, and would include a new primary school, workplaces and parks.
Moray Council has reviewed its development plan and allocated 112 hectares to accommodate the project.
Landowner Pitgaveny Estate is working closely with the local authority to agree a master plan for the area.
This document would set out how individual parts of the neighbourhood would be built, accessed and landscaped before any planning application is considered. Any future developer would be expected to adhere to this plan.
Chartered surveyor Smiths Gore is acting as an agent for Pitgaveny.
The firm’s head of planning Debbie Mackay said the development was an “exciting new project” for Elgin.
She said: “Over a 20-year period, this area will add anything up to 1,500 new houses to the town. It will have provision for new businesses, for community facilities, and quite possibly a new primary school.
“It’s too early to say what the houses might look like because design and fashion will change over the next 20 years, but 25% of the homes will be affordable housing and we want to hear ideas from the community who knows Elgin best.”
Pitgaveny’s design team is holding a drop-in exhibition in St Giles Church today from 1pm-8pm and wants to hear the views of as many people as possible.
Rebecca Russell, of Pitgaveny Estate, said last night: “We are really keen to hear from the young people of Elgin.
“This is a chance to influence a major addition to Elgin that sets a new benchmark for the town in terms of attractive housing development.
“We want to hear ideas from as many people as possible so we can create a well-planned community that Elgin can be proud of.”
There will be further opportunities to comment on and input to the development of the masterplan over the coming months, and a website has been set up at www.findrassie.co.uk.