AN architect has been stripped of his professional title for six months following a row with a client over boundary markings.

Michael Rasmussen ended up in a dispute with the owners of a plot of land in Aberdeenshire which was being developed.

The two clients had bought one of the last of six plots to be sold off by family business Heritage Properties (Scotland). However, Mr Rasmussen, of Aboyne, thought the plans were incorrect and submitted planning applications based on what he believed to be the correct boundaries.

These did not match the Land Registry plans, however, and were said to have caused planning problems because the drawings showed incorrect boundaries. The plot owners eventually ended their relationship with the architect after they received planning permission on July 19, 2011.

Ten months later, the plot owners marked out the boundaries with wooden stakes and spray paint. But Mr Rasmussen removed the markers and replaced them to where he himself thought they should be.

The clients lodged a formal complaint, and eight allegations of serious professional incompetence were lodged. Three were later withdrawn by the Architects Registration Board.

Mr Rasmussen admitted five of the claims, accepting he had committed unacceptable professional conduct.

He said: "I have a long established excellent reputation, and that is important to me."