A major new town development in Aberdeen has been granted outline planning permission, according to the BBC.

The £2bn scheme will see developers aim to build thousands of homes around 10 miles south of Aberdeen, at Chapelton of Elsick.

The site is a 2,000-acre area of farmland near Newtonhill and thousands of jobs would be created.

Aberdeenshire Council's Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee supported the plans from Elsick Development Company (EDC).

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Lord Southesk, Director of EDC, said: "We believe that Chapelton will be a major economic boost to the area as well as addressing the need for housing of all types.

"With up to 8,000 homes planned in the long term, as well as schools, community facilities and commercial space, Chapelton is set to become a major new Aberdeenshire community."

While plans initially say 4,000 homes will be built, a total of 8,000 homes is the long-term target. However, it has been estimated that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire may need 75,000 more homes over the next 20 years to cope with demand.

The detailed application for the first 800 homes of the scheme was also passed on Tuesday.

(JP/CD)