THE NATIONAL Trust for Scotland has called for an archaeological investigation to be conducted if new houses are to be built near Balmerino Abbey.

Revised plans have been lodged with Fife Council for houses to be constructed on land west of the ruined 13th century Cistercian abbey.

Previous proposals for 11 houses on two sites in the hamlet of Balmerino prompted a backlash.

Among those who spoke out against them was BBC TV Coast presenter Mark Horton who said they would seriously jeopardise the setting of a beautiful and historic site.

Headon Developments of St Andrews now has plans to construct five homes on one site only.

The National Trust for Scotland, which along with Historic Scotland opposed the earlier proposals, said it would not object.

However NTS official David McAllister told Fife Council, “We would, however, expect conditions to be placed on the applicant in respect of archaeological investigation before site works commence and for a watching brief to be enforced during construction works.

“We would be very interested in the results of all archaeological investigations and express a desire to be kept fully informed during and after these works.”

Headon Developments said it had conducted a complete review of the previous scheme with a new firm of architects.

It now wants to build a ‘farmhouse’, two smiddy-style cottages and two rigs houses on land to the west of the abbey, which is zoned in the 1998 Tay Coast Local Plan for five housing units.

The project would also involve demolition of an agricultural shed which Benjamin Tindall Architects said would open up the view from the abbey to the Tay and hills beyond.

It is intended to stage a public exhibition of the new proposals shortly.