Community leaders have objected to new plans to convert a disused garage at the edge of their town into flats.
Ellon Community Council said it was not convinced by attempts to redevelop the abandoned filling station in South Road.
The garage, which has lain empty since 2011, is currently owned by Moray-based Regency Oils.
The firm wants to demolish the eyesore building and make way for two blocks of eight flats.
However, the community council has said it is not sure the proposed development would set the right tone for the main entrance into the town.
A previous bid to construct a block of 16 apartments on the land was rejected by members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee meeting in September.
The community council has previously supported moves to bring the site back into use.
However, the group’s chairman, Sandy McDougall, said locals had hoped for more than the scheme on offer.
He said: “It’s a slight improvement on previous plans, but I think members are still questioning whether the latest designs are good enough to reflect the fact that these buildings will be the first thing people see when they come into Ellon.
“Is this something that Ellon can be proud of, or will it just be another average piece of design?”
Designs submitted to the local authority state that the properties would be finished in drydash with a fyfestone entrance.
The community council said: “The creative frontage is uninteresting, looks low budget and is not in keeping with the surrounding properties.”