Councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns area committee cited concerns of housing density and the layout of roads for the plan at Fordoun Road.

The councillors also said the development would have a detrimental impact on the town’s open space, as well as failing to comply with the approved masterplan for the area.

A spokesman for the developer said the decision was “very disappointing”.

Members of Kincardine and Mearns Community Council had put forward objections to the plans, saying construction of the homes will create too much build up of traffic in the area.

They said: “This proposed development is at the north end of Laurencekirk.

“At present there are no plans for a grade separated junction to the north of Laurencekirk.

“The potential increase in the volume of traffic on the already unacceptably over-burdened High Street causes great concern.

“We could never support this application while there is no adequate solution to the volume of traffic on the Laurencekirk High Street.”

The community council also argued Laurencekirk did not have the facilities needed to accommodate the 247 new houses.

They said: “There are concerns regarding a lack of facilities in Laurencekirk to support three major developments.

“This application, together with the already mentioned Kirkwood Homes and the nearly finished Muir Homes estate, would accentuate the burden on an over-stretched community.

“The opportunities for the town to develop and diversify should be recognised and addressed before any additional large developments are approved.”

In a report to the council, director of infrastructure services, Stephen Archer, said: “Overall, the proposal is one of compromise.

“The disjointed approach taken by various developers since the coordinated masterplan stage has led to compromise being necessary here in terms of layout, density and timing of delivery.”

Douglas McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Scotland Developments, said: “We are very disappointed with the committee’s decision, especially in light of the current housing demand for affordable and private homes… which this application sought to address.

“We will wait for the decision notice to be issued and then review our position.”