The masterplan for the 3,000-home Bertha Park development on the edge of Perth has been approved by the council.

Springfield Properties submitted the masterplan for the £1bn, 333ha project to Perth & Kinross Council last summer and it was approved on Wednesday. A detailed plan of the first phase is  expected to be assessed by committee next month. The first phase, which is likely to begin construction in 2017, covers 1,100 new homes including private, affordable and retirement accommodation ranging from apartments to 4-bedroom houses.

Springfield has opted for a traditional look and feel for Bertha Park. Each home will have easy access to green space and all are being designed to be highly energy efficient.

The new community will include 25ha of employment land, a new primary and secondary school as well as shops, restaurants, medical, leisure and community facilities. The development will be built over 30 years.