| Councillors last night voted to approve plans by Linlathen Developments for a cemetery and crematorium, plus a pub and restaurant, on a 30-acre site on the former Linlathen estate just off Drumsturdy Road.
But the plan will have to go before Scottish Ministers for final approval because they contravene the Dundee local plan and area structure plan.
In addition, there are objections from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and, significantly, from Historic Scotland, over a Pictish cist, or stone-lined grave, in the vicinity.
It is scheduled as an ancient monument and is said to be the last resting place of a Pictish chieftain, Gregor, who fell in battle on the site.
It was excavated in 1835, but the cist was said to be empty but for a bronze dagger, now lost, and a beaker now in the McManus Gallery museum. It is thought the remains of Gregor were burned before burial. There are a number of other cists in the area, with folklore claiming they are graves of his warriors.
The grave was marked by two massive capstones and a standing stone, on which a sculpted elephant was said to have been carved. It is believed that this stone was for a time used as a garden ornament at Linlathen House, but has long since disappeared.
The site, known as Cairn Greg, is now classified as a class 1 Pictish symbol stone, one of many in Angus.
A spokesperson for Historic Scotland said today that one of the reasons for the objection involving the cairn was that it was situated deliberately on the crest of a hill, with panoramic views from the ancient monument.
“These were intended to be seen from a distance and the new development would impact on this panorama.”
“All Ancient Monuments which qualify for that title are sites of national importance and we would always advocate protection for them,” the spokesperson said. |
