Moray Council has approved draft proposals for a large residential development near Elgin.

Plans by Springfield Properties include building around 2,500 houses over the next three decades at the southern edge of the town.

Other proposals involve developing two primary schools, a sports centre, a range of retail/community facilities and a cemetery.

The development would take the form of three linked villages to be known as Linkwood, Easter Linkwood and Wester Linkwood.

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Councillors were told the site extends to over 200 hectares and represents a 'significant long-term expansion' of Elgin.

A report to the council's planning and regulatory services committee said: "The masterplanning of large development areas reflects the Scottish Government's commitment to raise urban design standards, which Moray Council supports.

"The vision seeks to deliver three distinct village forms designed to complement each other and offer scope for a well-planned logical programme of phasing."

The report added all transportation network improvements would be assessed through a traffic modelling exercise.

(LM/MH)