The first phase of the wider 2,500-home masterplan will help the council meet affordable housing targets, with 220 allocated for social housing.

The development by Springfield Properties is made up of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom highly energy efficient homes, with ample green space, communal areas and the option for retail units.

Springfield has been working closely with the council to design a new village covering 204 hectares – roughly the size of 167 football pitches.

Springfield Chairman Sandy Adam said: “I’d like to thank Moray Councillors for approving this award-winning project. We’ve been working closely with Council officials to create a high-quality place to live.

“Moray Sports Centre will be in the heart of the village with meeting rooms, a coffee shop, soft play areas and a state of the art gym, it will quickly become a central hub for the community.

“There will be energy efficient housing, 25% of which will be affordable helping meet Moray Council’s affordable housing targets. Children will benefit from two new schools and they will be able to take advantage of the new Moray Sports Centre on their doorstep.

“This is a significant milestone for Springfield and for Elgin. The development will generate around 600 jobs over the next 30 years. Job opportunities and apprenticeships will increase and in many cases, offer a career for life to locals, further strengthening the economic growth of Elgin.

“Now we have the consent for the first 870 homes of the wider 2,500, we will start working towards the next milestone, starting construction on site.

Work will commence on the new school and Sports Centre in the coming months both scheduled to open in 2019.