Proposals to create a new £120 million cancer treatment centre and hospital in Aberdeen have been given preliminary approval.

Aberdeen City Council planners have backed plans to develop the Baird Family Hospital and the Anchor Centre at Foresterhill Health Campus.

At least 10 buildings are set to be built for the hospital site over the next five years as part of a total investment of £150 million.

The Baird Family Hospital, Designed by Archial NORR, will include maternity, gynaecology, breast screening and breast surgery services. A neonatal unit will also be constructed on site, along with an operating theatre suite and research facilities.

A contractor and design team will now be appointed to carry out the work after the decision.

NHS Grampian project director, Jackie Bremner, said she was delighted the proposals were approved.

She commented: “Plans for two important new developments on the Foresterhill Health Campus have taken a step forward with planning in principle approval from the Aberdeen City Council planning department.

“The project team is in the process of appointing a contractor and design team.

“Once appointed later in the year, detailed planning for these exciting developments can get under way.

“The initial agreement was approved by the board of NHS Grampian, the health and social care directorate and the Scottish Government in September 2015.

“The next important stages for these developments scheduled during 2016 are the submission of an outline business case, full planning application and thereafter full business case.”

Meanwhile, work on the long-awaited visitor car park is set to begin next week.

The £10 million, 1,000 space facility at ARI was approved by the council last month and is due to be completed in July next year.

Construction had been set to get under way earlier in the month but was delayed while the final appearance of the car park was agreed upon.