Developer CAF Properties had bid to transform the property at 92 Hepburn Gardens, known locally as The White House, into a 38-bed care home.

An initial 40-bed proposal had been rejected by Fife Council in February before an appeal to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division was also refused.

The fresh plans differed in layout, with the two proposed extension blocks arranged to form a central courtyard, a reduced footprint of around 750 square feet and the height of the new buildings reduced.

A six and a half foot acoustic barrier in the form of “acoustic green fencing” made of willow was also proposed to run alongside the drive and neighbouring properties to mitigate noise.

However, the revised plans were thrown out by Fife Council’s North East Fife planning committee on Wednesday by eight votes to three.

Councillor Dominic Nolan said the scale of the development would be out of character with the surrounding conservation area. He also raised the issue of noise impact.