Preparations are under way for the infrastructure work on a £2 billion estate, which was conceived by an Angus lord.
Lord Southesk’s long-term masterplan at Chapelton, near Portlethen, includes seven neighbourhoods, creating the potential for up to 8,000 homes between Stonehaven and Aberdeen, thus making it Scotland’s largest settlement for a generation.
The council granted an approval for an outline planning application to transform 2,000 acres of farmland into a vibrant new community for the north east. The detailed application for the first 825 homes was also passed.
A spokeswoman for Elsick Development Company said: “Preparations are under way for the infrastructure work on Chapelton.
“With the use of a GPS scanner, the roads were mapped before the harvest to allow archaeological work to be carried out. Checks were made before the roads can be started.
“In anticipation of the final planning permission being granted on the signing of the Section 75 agreement, the Elsick Development Company is ensuring that everything will be in place to start work in a few weeks, with housebuilders aiming to be on site in spring 2014.”
Perth construction firm A&J Stephen Ltd hopes its part in creating the new town will help drive “very significant” growth after years of tumult in the housebuilding market.
Zero C Holdings, in partnership with Hope Homes, AJC Homes and A&J Stephen Ltd, will build the first 225 homes at Chapelton, which could eventually deliver 8,000 homes.
The project, which is being managed by the Duke of Fife’s son, Lord Southesk, is focused on traditional town planning and architecture.
The new town, which has received backing from the Prince of Wales, will be built on 2,200 acres of farmland, with the Elsick Development Company targeting the construction of the first 4,045 homes by 2023.
Hope Homes and Zero C have worked together on the prince’s redevelopment of the Dumfries House estate in Ayrshire, with the latter also responsible for environmentally friendly developments at Poundbury, on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
The first new neighbourhood, Cairnhill, is expected to be the first of seven and will boast what its developers call “a self-sufficient and walkable community with shops, services and jobs”, a primary school with playing fields, and leisure, community and business facilities.