Moray Council has approved plans for Springfield Properties to build 2,500 new homes, two schools and Moray Sports Foundations’ new sports centre on the south side of Elgin in a long-term project worth half a billion pounds.The housebuilder has worked with the council over the last year to design a new village covering 204 hectares – approximately the size of 167 football pitches.The project includes 2,500 highly energy efficient homes, two schools and a £12 million sports centre.The detailed plans for the first phase of the Elgin South development have already been submitted to Moray Council and a decision is expected early 2017.The new sports centre, funded by Moray Sports Foundation, sits at the heart of the village which will have eight multi-purpose courts, mixed use studios and halls, a gym, classrooms and a coffee shop. Six tennis courts, artificial pitches for football and rugby, and a 1km running trail will surround the centre.