Plans to erect houses in an Ayrshire town have been refused after fears building work could unearth buried remains were highlighted.
Proposals to throw up two homes in Mauchline have been rejected after East Ayrshire Council planners cited a number of issues with the blueprints.
Archaeologists said that the area around the development on Castle Street is close in proximity to the 15th century Mauchline Castle.
And experts expressed concerns that Mr Frank Lau's plans could unearth medieval remnants in the historic part of town.
West of Scotland Archaeology Service told East Ayrshire Council: "The ground that will be disturbed by this development will affect a significant area in proximity to this site and as such raises archaeological issues.
"The reasonably large area of ground that will be disturbed by this development stands a good chance of unearthing buried unrecorded remains which could be of any period and which may survive below ground level."
And East Ayrshire planners also concluded that the development could impact on tourism in the area with plans having the potential to diminish views of the A-listed castle.
Case officer Marion Fergusson said: "It is considered that on principle, the location is not suitable for further residential development, due to proximity to the A-listed Mauchline Castle.
"The garden around the area provides the last remaining views of the castle, where it can be seen and appreciated in its historic context, and this forms part of the setting of the castle.
"Development of the site will lead to, at the very least, a reduction of views, and at worse, a complete removal of views, to the point where the setting of the A listed castle is diminished to a point where its context is no longer able to be viewed as part of the historic core of the conservation area.
"This in turn could lead to a diminishing tourist draw/offer of the town, given it is the core area of the conservation area that is host to the greatest concentration of historic assets on both architectural terms but also in terms of social and historic terms in relation to the area's connection to Burns."
Mr Frank Lau can appeal East Ayrshire Council's decision if he wishes.
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