A MILLIONARE has joined residents in objecting to a new quarry site close to the Scottish castle they own.
Owners of Craig Castle in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, Andrew and Britt Foreman have written to the council about their concerns surrounding the proposal, and the legal ramifications it will have.
The couple will potentially be 420 yards away from the site if the plans are approved.
Leiths (Scotland) wants to turn around 30 acres of land into a quarry because the "quality and quantity of asphalt sand found there is unusual for Aberdeenshire”.
The firm owns 13 quarries, 10 concrete batching plants and seven asphalt production plants, which included, up until recently, one in Drumoak.
Drumoak has been exhausted of all resources and the company is seeking a new location.
The proposals lodged to Aberdeenshire Council request for the site off the B9002 road, with the intention to extract 650,000 tones over the next 22 years.
However, residents are concerned the site would “ruin the peace and tranquillity” of the area.
Foreman, who alongside his wife bought the castle in 2019 for more than £1 million, also owns 1561 acres of land and Auchindoir Kirk.
The castle dates back to the 1500s.
In a letter to Aberdeenshire Council, he wrote: “Craig Castle is a Grade A listed historical medieval building, dating back over 500 years and a beautifully preserved example of a Scottish heritage castle.
“Auchindoir Kirk is a scheduled monument, dating back over 800 years.
“We are concerned that the existing settlement and structural issues with both buildings will be significantly worsened by the introduction of a quarry and heavy vehicles within close proximity.
“The dust and noise pollution that will be generated from a quarry will affect the future viability of the castle and grounds to support its charitable use.”
Foreman also revealed he signed a 20-year lease for the land from prior owner Alisdair Barlas in March 2022, which was agreed “to continue the environmentally sympathetic farming of the land”.
Barlas died months after the deal was made, and Foreman claims he is currently in a legal dispute which may be put to courts.
He argued the dispute "is likely to involve all parties in a lengthy legal dispute,” and said Leiths should not have been able to take the proposal forward amid this.
Foreman concludes: “We are duty bound to fight this application through the courts (if necessary) to protect its environmental and cultural heritage for future generations.”
Elsewhere, Andrew Dingwall-Fordyce – a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce – is also objecting.
He said Craig Castle is an “iconic building which stands in magnificent grounds” and argued its “existence will be put under threat by the planned quarry”.
According to legend, Sir James Douglas spent his final night in Scotland at Craig Castle protecting the heart of Robert Bruce before transporting it to the Holy Land in battle against the Saracens.
Dingwall-Fordyce added: “I would dispute that the need for sand and gravel outweighs the potential environmental damage.”
However, Historic Environment Scotland and Built Heritage deny the claim, and said there will be no significant impact.
The organisations also pointed out that the quarry won’t be visible from the castle grounds.
Planning officials are reportedly urging Aberdeenshire Council elected members to approve the plans.
