The final plans for a 9,000-home new development in Aberdeenshire have been submitted.

Chapleton of Elsick, around 10 miles south of Aberdeenshire, will be situated at a 2,000-acre area of farmland near Newtonhill.

Developers the Elsick Development Company (EDC) say it will create thousands of jobs along with the thousands of homes being promised.

"From an extensive range of new homes and schools, through to a lively town centre, Chapleton will offer a variety of properties suitable for all ages, incomes and needs", a statement on the company’s website read.

The development has been designed to lessen carbon emissions in accordance with policies set out by the Scottish government.


"Homes will be fitted with reliable and affordable technologies that are visually compatible with the architecture", the statement said.

"Early homes are designed to achieve carbon savings through use of efficient building materials. Later in the town’s development, facilities such as a combined heat and power plant may enable residents to lower their utilities bills and achieve further carbon savings."

The application has gone to Aberdeenshire Council for consideration.

The initial plan had set forth the construction of 4,000 houses, but it is suspected that this figure could double in the long-term.

It is thought construction could begin in Spring 2013; the initial phase seeing around 800 homes built.

Lord Southesk, director of the Elsick Development Company, said: "Today's submission marks a major milestone in the development's progress."

While objectors have claimed a substantial loss of farmland, estimations suggest Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire may need 75,000 more homes over the next 20 years to cope with demand.

(IT)