Plans for a new care home on the outskirts of Dumfries have been thrown out.
Simply UK wanted permission for a 60-bed facility between Park and Dalbeattie Road – which is near a Neolithic ritual monument.
But members of the council’s planning applications committee this week voted overwhelmingly against the proposal.
Simply’s plan was a scaled back version of a previous proposal for a 70-bed home.
A report for members highlighted concerns that it would have an adverse impact on the western approach to Dumfries and be “overly dominant” on the landscape.
Locals also had a number of concerns including noise and road safety.
A statement was read out at Wednesday’s meeting on behalf of more than 30 residents thanking case officer Lindsey Cameron for her report, saying it “comprehensively deals with the group’s concerns and objections”.
Another contentious issue was the proposed site’s closeness to Curriestanes Cursus – the remains of a 6,000-year-old rectangular enclosure from Neolithic times.
Both the council’s own archaeologist and Historic Environment Scotland stopped short of raising objections related to the monument but did flag concerns.
The local authority’s expert said he could see no “exceptional circumstance”, as required by planning policy, for the care home to be located there.
But Derek Scott, speaking on behalf of the applicants, said there was an “undisputed need” for a new care home in Dumfries and this would be an “unrivalled facility of truly exceptional quality, bringing with it significant job creation and associated eco-benefits”.
He added: “Is the need to address both a quantitative and qualitative shortfall in care home bed spaces in this town not an exceptional circumstance?”
The applicants’ own archaeological expert said he did not believe the setting of the monument would be “adversely affected” by the development so the exceptional circumstances test would not be needed.
And Mr Scott pointed out there was no other place in the town suitable, available and viable for the development.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh said he had no doubt there was a need for care homes but the committee could only make decisions based on planning matters and backed the officer’s recommendation to refuse.
But Councillor Andrew Wood said: “I see no reason for the objection on (the grounds of the) historic site.
“I do believe it is in the correct location.
“ It is approximately half a mile away from the hospital so I can’t think of a better siting for such a development.
“A lot of thought and consideration has gone into the design and location of it within the site.”
He proposed approving the development but members voted 14-3 to reject the care home.
