Homes purchased on bypass route

Homes have been bought to make way for a new Aberdeen bypass, despite it not yet completing the planning process.

Five properties were sold for a total of about £6m even though the plans have to be scrutinised by a public inquiry.

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), which is developing the £400m project, is now negotiating to buy more properties on the chosen route.

The homes have been bought by the Scottish Government and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils.

All of them would be subject to compulsory purchase if a public inquiry approved the controversial route for the new bypass but their owners have chosen to sell voluntarily.

John Wilson, a spokeswoman for AWPR, which is promoting the project, confirmed that about £6m had been spent on the properties and said negotiations with the owners of other properties were taking place.

He said: "Five properties have now been purchased in connection with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, four of which are located in the Milltimber area and one which is located on the grounds of the proposed new site of the International School."

If the plans are not approved the original owners will be given the right to buy their properties back.