A construction firm has lost its fight to build new homes on the site of an ancient Perthshire battleground.
Ribbon Homes wanted to create a new estate on land which was once the scene of the 17th Century Battle of Tippermuir.
The scheme was originally rejected by Perth and Kinross Council after complaints from residents.
People living in nearby Marlefield Grove complained that the development would result in a loss of privacy.
The Alloa-based company appealed to the Scottish Government, calling for the decision to be overturned and planning permission for the proposed 12 homes to be granted.
The firm also said the local authority should pay its expenses, claiming its councillors has acted “unreasonably” by going against the recommendations of planning officers who supported the plan.
The Government’s planning and environmental appeals division dismissed the appeal.
Reporter Rob Huntley, who had been tasked to investigate the case, also found that the council should not have to pay Ribbon Homes’ expenses.
He said: “The proposed development would accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan, but that there would be an unacceptably adverse effect in terms of overlooking and loss of privacy.
“I have therefore dismissed the appeal and refused to grant planning permission.”
He added: “Members of the council’s committee were not bound to follow the advice of officers on these matters and were entitled to take their own local knowledge into account and make their own judgment in deciding the appeal application.”
Mr Huntley said: “The council proved support for their reasons for refusal.”
The site is part of the Tippermuir battleground, the scene of a famous 1644 clash between Royalist and Covenanter armies.
The fight is significant as the first victory for James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose, who became feared and renowned for his battle tactics.
Although Historic Scotland did not object to the housing plan, the organisation urged planners to consider the development’s impact on the site of “national importance”.
No one from Ribbon Homes was available to comment.
In a letter to Scottish Ministers, agents for the firm said: “The application was refused by the planning committee on the basis it would harm the character of the area, in terms of density and access.
“In our view, there is absolutely no basis in planning policy, national or local, to support such a conclusion.”