Education and medical facilities in Elgin could be given a multi-million pound boost as part of a massive housing project.
Springfield Properties are poised to begin the first phase of a development that will lead to 2,500 homes in the south of the town over the next two decades.
Councillors are due to meet later this month for two meetings where planning permission could be granted for the initial buildings.
Reports ahead of the talks have revealed that nearly 60 conditions have been recommended for the huge expansion – including an agreement for Springfield to pay Moray Council £5.6million.
If agreed, that money would be used to help primary and secondary schools as well as healthcare facilities cope with the boom in population.
Elgin City South councillor John Divers said the payment would be devoted towards providing much-needed improvements for the town.
He said: “These kinds of payments are made when it’s agreed between the council and a developer that there is a need for certain facilities.
“Schools is certainly one of those in Elgin because the current ones are already full. The sports centre is being done on their own accord though, that’s all them, the council has nothing to do with that.
“It’s a sensible way of doing things. You have to look at everything that’s needed when a big housing project comes along, the kinds of things people who live there will need.”
The first phase of the Elgin South masterplan includes 870 homes, a new sports centre and sites for two primary schools as well as shops, business premises and eateries.
Improvements to access roads have also been proposed to cope with extra traffic.
In a report, Moray Council’s development manager Beverly Smith recommended the plans for approval and explained the project would act as a “catalyst” to drive further investment into Elgin.
A spokeswoman for Springfield Properties said: “Elgin South is a wonderful development and we are delighted that it has been recommended for approval.
“The development will bring employment and economic growth to the area as well as a sports facility and two new primary schools sites.”
