Plans have been unveiled to build an eco-friendly development near a site of “great historic interest” in the north-east.
Inverurie-based L and W Properties wants to build 16 family homes and four affordable flats on land next to where a 14th-century bishop’s residence once stood at Old Rayne, near Insch.
It is believed the house, which was surrounded by a moat, was commissioned by Alexander Kinninmonth, who became Bishop of Aberdeen in 1329. Reports suggest the foundations could still be seen in the 18th century, but had been destroyed by ploughing by 1845.
Alison Neilson, of L and W Properties, said an archaeological dig was carried out in May 2008, which uncovered fragments of highly decorated ceramic roof tiles dating from the late 13th century or early 14th century. A flint scraper was also discovered, suggesting that the land was in use centuries earlier.
She added that the village school probably occupies the area of the former bishop’s house, and the development would lie near to where the moat once was. The houses would be a mixture of three, four and five-bedroom properties and the flats would be one-bedroom.
Agent Stuart Naysmith, of William Lippe Architects, said: “We have undergone a consultation with the local community and altered our scheme to hopefully reflect the needs of the community. We are trying to use a lot of renewable energies to keep the carbon footprint of the development down.”
Archaeologists carried out excavations spanning 16 years at a site at Fetternear, Kemnay, which was once occupied by a Bishop’s Palace, also commissioned by Kinninmonth.
Traces of the ancient and extensive palace were discovered in 1995, just under the gardens of the ruined Fetternear House.
Local volunteers and archaeology students from across Europe and as far afield as the US and South America took part in the digs, which uncovered a vast array of rare mediaeval finds, from jewellery to pottery.