Bancon Homes had hoped to transform Bellfield Care Home, located in the heart of the town on Dee Street, into 18 flats, three retail units and two small office units with additional plans to build a replacement care home at Hill of Banchory.

But the Banchory-based developer was left disappointed after Aberdeenshire Council planning officials refused the application before it went to committee.

Harry McNab, planning director for Bancon, said: "Bancon are very disappointed that the revised plans appear to have been refused. I am not sure what input our local councillors had in the decision, but two significant opportunities for attracting inward investment and improved job opportunities to Banchory have certainly been lost. It is particularly disappointing that the opportunity to provide much needed expanded and replacement facilities for the frail elderly has been rejected."

Bancon's initial plans for the care home were heavily criticised when first unveiled at a Banchory Community Council meeting in May.

The developer returned to the community council in June with amended, scaled down plans for the home, which were met with cautious approval from most members.

The Council's decision to reject the application puts the future of the Bellfield Care Home in doubt as CrossReach, the social care agency that manages the home, has already admitted the home must be moved to a new location to meet national standards.

Mr McNab added: "I think all parties were agreed that the existing facilities at Bellfield were in need of refurbishment, to meet Care Commission standards, and that this cannot be achieved on the existing site. With no alternative site having been suggested by the planners, we are now in a difficult position, and will be seeking further discussions with all concerned.

"The plans were adjusted significantly following consultation with the community council and I think people were a lot happier with the amended proposals. Indeed there were very few objections at all to the amended plans. In my view, the revised plans had the capacity to be developed into a scheme reflecting the importance of the site location, and I am disappointed that the opportunity has not been grasped. As well as the planned mainstream and 'affordable' apartments, the plans would have allowed the establishment of several high quality shopping and small business opportunities in the town centre. By improving the range of shops available, we were hopeful that more people would be attracted to shop and invest in the village.

"From meetings with the community council, we were aware that there was a wish to see more facilities and job opportunities being provided in the village as the population grew. Our main disappointment therefore is that, despite our best efforts, much needed facilities will be lagging behind housing provision once again."

Bancon say they now intend to meet with all interested parties before planning a way forward.

Architecture and Design Scotland, the independent design review and advisory company funded by the Scottish Government, recommended refusal of planning permission.

Angela Williams, head of Architecture and Design Review, said: "There is still work required in several areas to make the whole development of the quality required by this important position within Banchory. While welcoming the less massive form of the building generally, to follow more closely the pattern of the rest of the High Street, we do not support the apparent attempt to combine different styles to achieve disparity. We would like to see the designs further developed throughout, to the standard of the more promising amendments, to become a better resolved and attractive group of buildings which work within the townscape but without tending towards historical pastiche or trying to be 'iconic'."

Should the plans have been refused? Email your views to pipereditorial@deesidepiper.com