Long-delayed plans for a 1,500-home village on the edge of Perth are finally back on track, after transport chiefs agreed to drop their objection.
The next phase of the Oudenarde project was poised to be rubber-stamped by councillors at a meeting in January 2018.
The planning application for a wave of 159 properties was pulled after a last-minute intervention by Scottish ministers.
Transport Scotland claimed developer GS Brown had not demonstrated how the new development – at the site of the old Bridge of Earn hospital – will link safely to the M90.
The much-talked about project – which was first mooted more than 20 years ago – was in limbo since.
Two years after the application was called-in, transport chiefs have confirmed an agreement has been reached. The decision paves the way for the application to return to councillors for a final decision.
It also quashes the need to hold a government inquiry.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We have reached agreement with the developers GS Brown and Perth and Kinross Council on a series of conditions that the council can modify into the planning permission in principal, meaning we can withdraw our objection.
“The conditions relate to the phasing of development and the delivery of mitigation works at the junction of the A912 with J9 of the M90, including the onslip onto the northbound M90.”
GS Brown has ploughed millions of pounds into the project over the last two decades, but so far only 112 housing association homes have been built.
Last year, the construction firm was shown a transport model of the area produced for Perth and Kinross Council by consultant Systra.
It featured changes to the problematic M90 slip road which included signalised junctions, rather than roundabouts.
No one from GS Brown or Perth and Kinross Council was available to comment on the project, but in paperwork lodged with the Scottish Government local authority planning officer Steven Callan said: “The council is supportive of signalised junctions at the end of each slip road, as it will provide a more effective and up-to-date transport solution in comparison to the roundabouts previously shown.”
In December, GS Brown unveiled its latest plan for more than 100 homes next to McDiarmid Park.