Springfield Properties had to submit two applications for the proposed £150 million village as it spans land owned by two different parties and both were recommended for approval by city development director Mike Galloway following detailed talks and consultation with locals.

However councillors on the development management committee voted against one application and in favour of the other.

Councillors considered two applications, one of 365 houses and a village centre incorporating shops and infrastructure to the north, and one of 230 houses and a village green to the south.

After concerns were raised by an independent councillor about the nearest schools being five miles away from the site, the first application was denied by a vote of 12 to 10.

However, after one councillor left the chamber and another arrived late to the meeting, the vote on the second application was tied at 11 each, and was approved on the convener’s casting vote.

The end result was that the community facilities which had been welcomed by all councillors but which were contained in the first application, will now not be built as only the playpark and football pitches form part of the second application.

The Western Gateway has long been earmarked for development and councillors were expected to rubber-stamp the development. The homes were due to come with a commercial area with shops, offices, a nursery, cafe, village hall and a green.