Scape Homes submitted plans for the 57-bedroom facility at the long-vacant site bound by Wallace Wynd and Cowgate, which had planned to offer residents a rooftop garden, gym and cinema.

Aberdeenshire Council officers had urged members of the Kincardine and Mearns area committee to throw out the plans, citing concerns over the supply of car parking. The council has also highlighted concerns that any added vehicles could cause problems for bin lorries and potentially block access for the emergency services.

The planning report stated: “On the one hand is the clear benefits of redevelopment a long term vacant site, and its beneficial reuse to provide a care home catering for particular needs.

“The provision of a care home, in principle appears to be a sensible solution for the site.”

But the report concluded that “in light of the constraints of the locality, and the types of vehicles that would require access around this narrow network of streets”, councillors should reject the proposals.

Members of the committee unanimously voted to reject the proposal.

Scape Homes had worked with planning consultant Scott Hobbs Planning and architect Yeoman McAllister on the plans.