Construction work is set to start next month on a £800m new community development in Aberdeen after the UK government pledged £86m in funding for the project.

The project, which received in principle planning approval from Aberdeen City Council in October 2014, will be built by Stewart Milne Group over 15 years.

Work will involve the construction of new housing, schools, healthcare and parks at the Countesswells site.

Mobilisation and compound facilities will commence this month, with infrastructure works expected to begin in April. The first homes are expected to be available later in 2016. The project is anticipated to create 1,000 construction jobs.

Stewart Milne group managing director homes John Slater said: “Countesswells is an important project that will deliver a vibrant new community for Aberdeen that will include three new schools, medical facilities, leisure, retail, commercial & business accommodation and a wide range of homes, from first time buyer apartments and young family homes to townhouses and executive villas, all contributing to Aberdeen’s attractiveness as a place in which to live and work.”