Up to 600 new homes proposed for Ardersier

A building company based in Moray has proposed constructing up to 600 homes on farmland in the Highlands.

The development in Ardersier would include land for potential use for retail, education, health and community facilities.

Springfield Properties, whose headquarters are in Elgin, plans to develop farmland at Ardersier Mains.

Highland Council has identified the area for housing as part of its efforts to tackle a shortage of homes in the region.

The local authority is holding a public consultation on development plan for Ardersier Mains.

The council has said developing the area would help it to deliver 24,000 homes across the Highlands over the next decade.

Properties are needed to meet demands for affordable housing, and workers moving to jobs at the new Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.

The consultation closes on 31 March.

Springfield's proposals also include access roads, landscaping and green spaces.

The village has a population of about 1,200 people and in an area of the Inner Moray Firth which has seen new homes already built in Nairn and Tornagrain.

The nearby Ardersier Port is a former oil and gas fabrication yard and is currently being redeveloped as a site to support offshore renewables.

The 450-acre (182ha) site forms part of the green freeport. which is expected to create more than 11,000 jobs over the next 25 years.

Chinese firm Mingyang announced plans last year for a £1.5bn wind turbine manufacturing facility and creation of 1,500 jobs at the port.

The UK government said last month it expected to make a decision on the project "soon".