The housebuilder has worked with the council over the last year to design a new village covering 204 hectares – approximately the size of 167 football pitches.

The project includes 2,500 highly energy efficient homes, two schools and a £12 million sports centre.

Springfield Properties managing director, Innes Smith, said: “We’ve been working closely with councillors to design the expansion of Elgin and are pleased to have had the plans approved.

“Elgin South will be a new village. Our goal is to create a place that has everything a vibrant and thriving community needs; somewhere that people are proud to call home.

“These plans will continue our investment on the south side of Elgin over the coming decades, securing the employment of our workforce and many others.

“This is also a great opportunity for us to work with Moray Council to meet their affordable housing targets. To date, Springfield Properties has delivered over 900 affordable homes in Moray. Elgin South will bring a further 220 new affordable homes to the area in the first phase alone.”

The detailed plans for the first phase of the Elgin South development have already been submitted to Moray Council and a decision is expected early 2017.

The new sports centre, funded by Moray Sports Foundation, sits at the heart of the village which will have eight multi-purpose courts, mixed use studios and halls, a gym, classrooms and a coffee shop. Six tennis courts, artificial pitches for football and rugby, and a 1km running trail will surround the centre.