Plans to build a controversial hotel in the Mearns have been rejected after splitting a committee.
Councillors voted 7-4 to refuse an application to build a hotel in Auchenblae against the recommendation of council officers.
Supporters for the scheme voiced their frustration after the meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee in Stonehaven.
Members met to decide the fate of a bid to build a hotel, cafe and shop to the west of Granom, designed to replace the village pub which blew up four years ago.
The plans from Drumtochty Castle Ltd had been given the backing of Aberdeenshire Council officers, subject to 16 planning conditions.
A spokesman for the Auchenblae Pub Supporters’ Group said the decision was curious considering the force of local support for the plans.
He said: “It’s hard to believe they can justify that after reading the report from the planning committee and also when they know the majority of the people in the village were in support.
“We feel we have been let down by the people who are supposed to represent and support us.”
Others took to social media to register their frustration.
Elaine Crawford wrote: “Apparently the vote went against the applicant. Unbelievable (I am restraining the bad language).”
Marek Ptaszek, an IT project manager, said the decision represented “a very sad day” for the village.
He told The Courier: “I’m very disappointed in the committee’s decision, especially because the council’s own report was so encouraging.
“I don’t think there will be an opportunity to see the same level of investment offered to the village again. There were other sites mentioned at the public meeting and I think that confused things.
“There are other sites which have been empty for longer and no one has suggested any other development Mr Ptaszek said that while Auchenblae has some facilities for older people and “excellent” childcare options, there is nothing for young professionals, single people and couples without children to do.
“It has been suggested and we don’t want to but we’ll probably leave the village. I have heard of other couples who feel the same.
“There just isn’t anywhere for us to go, to meet and socialise. The village lacks a real heart. I think it will merely become a dormitory for Aberdeen in time.”
More than 175 people from the community made official representations to the council on the proposal, which has split opinion.
The development was to replace the Drumtochty Arms, which was destroyed in a gas explosion in the centre of the village in 2009. The report to committee listed 26 reasons for objection and also 20 reasons for support.
Mearns Community Council objected on grounds of unsuitable location, conservation, visual impact, road access, noise and traffic, flooding risk and impact on the existing shop but planning officers supported the application.