A masterplan to create a new village of more than 1,100 properties at South Ugie on the outskirts of the town also includes a raft of new businesses, shops, a health centre and a primary school.

Developer Knight Frank also wants to pave the way for residents to use the former Buchan railway line and has included space on the site for a new railway station, recycling centre and a nature reserve within the masterplan.

Neighbours had previously raised concerns over a lack of communication about how the development would affect them which prompted a delay in approving the scheme earlier this year.

At yesterday’s meeting, a spokeswoman for the council’s planning service said just six people attended a special meeting set up afterwards to address the issues.

She added: “The planning service are satisfied. The masterplan is kind of a broad brush technique. We don’t know the finer details, they would be addressed at the planning stage.”

The first phase of the South Ugie development would include building 510 houses as well as new access junctions and a cycle crossing.

The second phase would see 245 homes built, along with a neighbourhood centre and medical centre.

The primary school, if required, would come in phase 3 alongside 275 more houses while stage four would see the final 85 houses completed along with a nature reserve. The proposed railway station would fall within the fourth phase.