Proposals have been unveiled for a new hospital and retirement village in Aberdeen after a £50 million five-star country club complex plan was scrapped

Developer Carlton Rock had planned to build a 200-bedroom hotel, including a restaurant, spa and a swimming pool at Hazlehead Park, proposals which were backed by the Scottish Government last year.

However, Carlton Rock director Alan Massie has scrapped the plans citing the oil and gas downturn in the city.

The developer now hopes to create a retirement village which would include a private hospital with 60 beds, a nursing home consisting of 40 to 60 bedrooms as well as homes and apartments.

The development could also involve up to 60 flats for those aged over 55, 30 to 60 residential properties and a church. Shops are also being proposed for the area.

The project, along with the creation of 55 homes on the former Dobbies Garden Centre and Nursery on Aberdeen’s Hazledene Road situated nearby, would be worth between £50m and £60m.

The site covers the Hayfield Riding Centre along with fields to the east side of Hazledene Road at Hazlehead Park.

Mr Massie said the decision to change the plans was made as a result of the impact of the North Sea price drop on the local hotel industry.

He said: “One of the negative things about the downturn is that hotel beds are no longer in such demand.

“The proposal for the hotel and country club were different to anything we have in Aberdeen.

“But the whole market has been affected so dramatically.”

He added: “The construction of the village and the homes nearby could be worth between £50m to £60m so it would be a very big investment in the city. The oil recession in Aberdeen has meant developers are pushing away from commercial aspects and looking towards community uses.

“A retirement village would allow people at the age of 55 to live there so they can enjoy 20 or 30 years in great surroundings.”