The event is being held at the Royal British Legion in Dufftown on Wednesday 9 August between 4pm and 8pm, with locals welcome to drop in anytime to have their say on the design process and find out more about the project.

The Dufftown Masterplan phase of the housing mix delivery project is being funded by the Scottish Government and Moray Council via the Moray Growth Deal. Dufftown and District Community Association (DDCA) is partnering to develop community-led affordable housing, which will form part of the wider masterplan.

The second of the Housing Mix Delivery project’s schemes to get underway, after the design tender for Dallas Dhu was awarded, the Dufftown proposals are being developed by Collective Architecture with Narro Engineers.

Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Marc Macrae, said: “The Housing Mix Delivery project is progressing well in Forres and I’m delighted to see the Hillside Farm, Dufftown Masterplan getting off the ground now too. It’s a great example of how the Moray Growth Deal is a boost for the whole of Moray and I sincerely hope folk in and around Dufftown get involved at this early stage of the design of the housing development at Hillside Farm.”

DDCA’s community development leader, Dr Viktoria Eriksson, added: “This is the first major event being held in Dufftown to really get to the heart of these proposals and what the masterplan means for the town and surrounding area. We’re excited to be collaborating with our partners to include community-led affordable housing in this project and I hope community members come along on the day to share their views on the proposals.”

Jude Barber, architect-director at Collective Architecture, commented: “We are delighted to be working with DDCA and Moray Council to create this exciting proposal for Hillside Farm, Dufftown. This community-led approach to housing and amenity poses a real opportunity for residents, the town and the wider area. We look forward to developing ideas and strategies with the local community and partners to create a vibrant and resilient place to live.”