Barratt East Scotland and Drum Development Co Ltd were seeking planning permission in principle for 1,500 homes and a supermarket in the Fetteresso area.

The Mill of Forest development, which would be on land south of Mansefield Cottage in Kirktown, includes a primary school, business units and a health centre. And 25 per cent of the 1,500 homes were marked for affordable housing.

Councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns area committee backed the recommendations by planners and unanimously refused the developments.

A report by infrastructure services director Stephen Archer said aspects including the creation of a supermarket would have a detrimental impact on Stonehaven’s town centre.

Stonehaven and Lower Deeside councillor Peter Bellarby said: “A possible retail development would have an adverse impact on the town centre.

“Scottish planning policy states we need to look after our town centres and give them priority over retail development.

“There has been considerable opinion in Stonehaven t hat there should be a supermarket somewhere – this is not it.”

Cllr Bellarby also said the proposal went against both the current and emerging Local Development Plan (LDP).

He added: “This proposal is really contrary to the aims of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council’s strategic development plan.

“This committee has thought long and hard about what Kincardineshire and Mearns needs in terms of development. There is no justification for this.”