Plans for a new care home beside Aberdeen’s only five-star hotel have been rejected by councillors.
The Marcliffe Hotel, on North Deeside Road, and Mealmore Ltd applied to build a 65-bed care home on unused land adjacent to the hotel and the city’s International School.
There had been five letters of objection, including from nearby medical practices – where staff raised concerns about an inability to cope with increased demand from the elderly patients.
Yesterday, the council’s planning committee visited the site ahead of making a final determination.
Members were told that the developers had pledged more than £39,000 for Cults Medical Practice to help them expand and treat the rising number of patients.
But concerns were also raised over the potential felling of 54 mature trees to make way for the development.
Committee convener, Marie Boulton, moved to reject the application – saying that the loss of the trees would be detrimental to the whole area.
Committee member Bill Cormie argued that the trees were of “poor quality” and the patch of land there is “almost a wasteland”.
He also contended that the shortage of GPs was a national issue and should have no bearing on the plans.
The vote was tied at four each, with Mrs Boulton using her casting vote to refuse the application.
