The developer lodged a planning permission in principle application with Aberdeenshire Council for the new properties at Park Quarry near Drumoak in December last year.

The proposed Kincluny Village will also include a village square with provision for shops and cafes, community facilities including a school, sports hall, library, community rooms and a health centre. As part of the 1,500 homes scheme, 500 will be affordable housing.

A pre-determination hearing (PDH) to discuss the plan, which was due to take place on June 1, was postponed for a second time until the local authority completes a structural survey to investigate Park Bridge, which links north and south Deeside, and its ability to cope with the current and future traffic.

The structure is currently subject to weight restrictions and was closed earlier this year due to flood-related damage.

A previous hearing, on March 2, was cancelled at the request of CHAP Group to allow time for relevant information to be submitted.

Kincardine and Mearns area manager, Willie Munro, said: “We appreciate this is the second postponement of the pre-determination hearing.

“We realise this may cause some inconvenience to those who have an interest in the application and had intended to address or simply attend the pre-determination hearing.

“Given the importance and the high level of interest in this aspect of the application, it is considered that information on Park Bridge and the implications of this structure on the determination of the application is made available in advance of the hearing and the extra time will allow this to happen.”

Douglas Thomson, joint managing director of CHAP Group, said: “We agree with Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to postpone the PDH as it is vitally important that councillors and the local community have all information at hand to ensure that an informed and robust hearing takes place.

“We are fully aware that the ability of Park Bridge to cope with current and future traffic is of vital importance to the local community as a key strategic link over the Dee.”

He added: “Like others, we await the results of the council’s structural surveys, which we hope will provide a clear indication as to the bridge’s continued viability.

“We will continue to work with the council and other statutory consultees over the coming months to discuss the current situation as well as the opportunity that the Kincluny Village proposals could present should there be a need, following the structural survey, to improve a new link road across the Dee at this location.”

A revised date of October 6 has been proposed for the hearing, with the planning application expected to be determined by Aberdeenshire Council at its meeting on November 24.