A decision on the Springfield Properties scheme was deferred by Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee last month after concerns were raised about the viability of the plans.

But yesterday, the committee met in Ellon to reconsider the planning application and voted unanimously to back the project.

Located on an agricultural site at Meadowbank Road, the proposals had been recommended for approval by council planners, however, with all the proposed homes classed as affordable, some councillors questioned whether the project could be delivered as it might not be commercially viable and instead asked for a commitment of only 25% with the remainder left to the developer’s discretion.

Despite the concerns, local councillor Iain Taylor said: “The provision of affordable housing is good.”

Speaking on behalf of Springfield, Joe Geoghegan said: “The delivery of affordable houses is a key part of our business. We’ve delivered 1,500 since 2004 and that’s been on a range of sites from 25% affordable up to 100%.”