Moray councillors gave the go-ahead for affordable housing developments in Elgin and Buckie yesterday.

But a planning application for a third scheme, in Forres, was deferred to allow council officials and the developers to examine alternative access arrangements.

The schemes at Waulkmill, on the eastern outskirts of Elgin, and at Barhill Road in Buckie will see the construction of 316 new homes to help ease the area's housing shortage.

The applications for 175 dwellings at Buckie and 141 at Elgin were both approved unanimously by Moray Council's planning and regulatory services committee.

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However, councillors deferred an application for 111 affordable homes at Thornhill in Forres following objections from more than 60 householders already living in the area.

Many of the objectors raised concerns about road safety in light of the proposal to access the new development through neighbouring Knockomie Rise.

The committee agreed to defer the application to enable alternative access arrangements to be explored.

The three development proposals represent a £54m partnership project involving the Scottish Government, Grampian Housing Association, Moray Council and developers Springfield Properties.

Springfield spokesman Joe Geoghegan told councillors that the proposals were an opportunity to deliver much-needed affordable housing in Moray and to provide a jobs boost at a critical time for the economy.

Mr Geoghegan said the projects would sustain 120 existing jobs and create another 350 directly and indirectly.

He reminded the committee that it was a strategic council priority to address the severe shortage of affordable housing in the area.

Councillors were told that 80% of the homes would be for rent and 20% occupied on a shared equity basis.

(GK/JM)