Proposals to create a new £120 million state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre and hospital in Aberdeen have been approved.

City council planners have given planning in principle approval to develop the Baird Family Hospital and the Anchor Centre at Foresterhill Health Campus.

At least 10 buildings are planned for the hospital site over the next five years as part of the £150m total investment – including the Anchor Centre for people with cancer and blood disorders and the Baird Family Hospital.

A contractor and design team is now to be appointed to undertake the work following the decision.

The new Anchor Centre will provide outpatient and day-patient support as well as treatment services for cancer, blood disorders and non-cancerous conditions.

The facility, which will be located next to the radiotherapy centre at the east of the Foresterhill site, is expected to be able to serve more than 30,000 outpatients a year.

The family hospital will include maternity, gynaecology, breast screening services as well as a neonatal unit.

Project director Jackie Bremner today said she was delighted the proposals were approved.

She said: “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.”