The proposals by regeneration and development specialist Hargreaves Land will see new shops, offices and business space constructed on a 5-hectare plot of land at the heart of Blindwells.

Sixty-five affordable apartments overlooking the newly created Princes Loch, along with a new wellbeing centre, care-home, gym and community space will also form part of the Blindwells town centre. Of the 65 apartments, 11 will be for private sale and 54 will be affordable housing, including 12 ‘later living’ homes.

The new high street will be pedestrianised with a public car park to the west of the town centre served by a loop road which will include bus stops and taxi pickup and drop off points.

Niall McLean, development director at Hargreaves Land, said: “This decision is a significant milestone in the evolution of Blindwells and we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring forward new amenities for the benefit of our growing community.

“A great deal of work has been undertaken in recent years to get us to this point and we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved.

“This decision enables us to press ahead with another phase of major investment, building a new town centre which will create an exciting sense of place for residents, adding to their overall wellbeing and living experience.

“We will also be working with partners to deliver more affordable homes, providing high quality housing in a sustainable location where people want to live. The new investment will be a major economic boost for the local area, supporting hundreds of jobs in the construction, regional supply chain, and local services sectors.”

Over 350 homes are already occupied by new residents at Blindwells following the completion of schemes by housebuilders Bellway, Persimmon, Cruden and Ogilvie.

Avant Homes and Places for People are currently active onsite and in recent days Bellway has announced plans to develop a further 217 new homes at Blindwells, including 65 affordable properties.

Hargreaves Land, which is working with planning consultants at CBRE together with EMA architects to bring forward the town centre plans, believes that features such as more bus stops, pedestrian and cycle ways as well as electrical vehicle chargepoints will help Blindwells in becoming a ‘20-minute neighbourhood’. This approach, which revolves around creating communities where residents can meet their daily requirements within a few minutes’ walk of their front doors, and includes access to sustainable modes of travel, is gaining increasing traction with Scotland’s planning and policy makers.

Speaking on behalf of the Blindwells Residents and Tenants Association, Ann McLaughlin said: “After several years of uncertainty we are delighted to hear that our new town centre has been approved.

“After our open day a few weeks ago, it became clear that shops and our town centre are a priority, so I know the residents within our new community of Blindwells will share in this good news.”