Plans for a new care home near an Aberdeen hospital have been thrown out by councillors over fears the buildings would invade the privacy of nearby residents.
Rubislaw Estates Ltd applied to Aberdeen City Council to build the development on land to the north of Queen’s Road, between the Craigden area and Woodend Hospital.
Under the plans, a two-storey residential care home with 21 en-suite bedrooms would be built on the site.
But officers recommended that councillors vote against the scheme when it was brought to committee yesterday, raising fears over privacy and the potential loss of grassland.
The developers argued that, working with charity VSA, the new facility would provide much-needed care home beds.
However there were around 20 letters of objection from residents and yesterday the councillors on the planning committee unanimously rejected the proposals.
Committee vice convener, Jennifer Stewart, said: “I was in no doubt to go with the officer’s recommendation, and it was a unanimous vote by councillors.
“We aren’t against care homes but I think it is clear that this was the wrong location.
“As a city we need to keep and protect our green spaces and also consider the privacy of residents.”
Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells councillor Martin Greig, who also sits on the committee, said: “I am glad we were able to support local residents in this decision. Craigden people were extremely worried about this proposal.
“The site is a unique place with open green and mature trees. There was a large number of objectors who had put a lot of effort and care into explaining their concerns.
“There is a case to be made for more care homes but these have to be constructed in an appropriate location. Care homes have to meet high standards and provide quality accommodation.”
A spokeswoman for the developers branded the decision “very disappointing”.
She added: “The facility was for stroke victims and featured a brain injury unit, a desperately important new unit next to Woodend Hospital would be amazing for the citizens of Aberdeen.
“We’ll have to review the refusal and look at the next steps”