Plans have been lodged to build new homes in an Aberdeenshire village on behalf of Castlehill Housing Association.

Brought forward by property development organisation Norr, the proposal to expand the Aden Park estate in Mintlaw includes 73 homes classed as ‘affordable housing’ as well as open space for play equipment, paths and woodland.

The land at Newlands Road lies between Mintlaw Academy and sports pitches to the east and Aden Country Park to the west.

The proposed houses would join an existing Castlehill Housing Association development already on the estate.

David Lappin, chief executive of Castlehill Housing Association, told our sister publication Scottish Housing News: “This proposal represents the third and final phase of development on this site in Mintlaw. We already provide both family houses and very sheltered housing at Aden Park and these have proved very popular. We look forward to developing more affordable homes that meet local needs and to assisting our partners at Aberdeenshire Council in delivering their housing strategy.”

A spokesman for Norr told the Press & Journal: “The proposal is for a residential development of 73 residential units, open space and associated infrastructure.

“The proposal is to deliver a range of housing to meeting a range of local housing needs and to create a sustainable community.”

He added that although the first phase will be “entirely affordable” housing there is potential to build a range of houses to create a “sustainable community” in the area.

The development – which if approved will connect the two ends of Newlands Road – is aimed at easing Aberdeenshire’s housing waiting list.

Under the local authority’s own guidance at least 400 affordable homes are scheduled for construction each year.

But a planning report shows that only 363 properties have been built over the past five years while the waiting list for council homes has reached around 8,500 applicants.

The Norr spokesman added that the Mintlaw proposals could have significant benefits in reducing the number of people on the waiting list.