Construction firm CA Duguid and Sons had hoped to secure planning permission in principle to build nine homes at the former Auchterless rail yard, with at least two of those classed as affordable.

The developers argued the former train station should be considered a brownfield site under Aberdeenshire Council’s planning policies.

And a design statement submitted by architectural and building consultant James G Ironside Limited claimed the “unique rural location” would provide good public transport links to nearby communities.

The firm said that a “small development” of up to nine family homes would fit “neatly” into the existing area.

And they said it “has the potential of providing a high-quality, sustainable development within a unique rural location, with excellent public transport links to the major service areas of Turriff and Banff to the north, as well as Aberdeen, Dyce, Oldmeldrum and Inverurie to the south.”

However the plans had been recommended for refusal by council planners who noted the development was “neither small scale, nor on land which constitutes a redundant brownfield opportunity”, it having “naturalised over time”.

He said: “In terms of the current state of the site the remains of a platform can be seen and the general appearance of the site is that of land that has been previously developed.

“The application site covers the former railway yard, signal box and track areas.

“There have been no third party objections and we would respectively request the committee support this application.”

Infrastructure services committee chairman councillor Peter Argyll said there had been “a lot of discussion” but it was clear the chosen site did not meet “brownfield” criteria.

Councillors voted seven to six against the plans.