Residents of a north-east town facing a population explosion will get the chance to see plans for the housing expansion for the first time today.
The 450-home scheme proposed for the east of Turriff could increase the number of residents in the market town by as much as 20%.
Developer Halliday Fraser Munro has submitted a proposal of application notice to Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of three local landowners.
The document is an indication that a major planning application is imminent.
Local people will have the opportunity to view early plans and ask questions at a public consultation event held at Turriff town hall between 2-8pm today.
In a statement, the developer said: “Any persons wishing to make comments relating to the proposal or wishing to obtain further information may do so by contacting Halliday Fraser Munro.”
A spokeswoman for the firm has stressed local opinion will be taken into account by planners. She said: “This is kicking that process off and it’s a long term project before an application is submitted.”
Public comments made at this early stage of the planning process will be considered as the project progresses, but are not regarded as formal letters of support of objection.
If the project goes ahead, Turriff residents can expect the development to open up as much as 25 acres for employment land. New community and leisure facilities would also be built at Balmellie and Delgaty.
At least two access points will have to be built, along with a new eastern bypass for the town. The development will have to incorporate at least 112 affordable homes and safeguard the nearby Woods of Delgaty.
Some local people have raised concerns that an influx of new families could put pressure on already strained education and health services.
Turriff community council treasurer John Smith has questioned the impact on existing infrastructure.
“It’s a lot of folk – 450 homes could mean as many as 1,000 new residents for a town of 5,000,” he said.
“Have they factored in this number of people into the development of the new school?”