UNDISCOVERED archaeological remains, potentially of national significance, could still be unearthed at a Cambus site where a spirits company is looking to expand warehousing.

Diageo is looking to future proof its Blackgrange operations by erecting five more warehouses at the Cambus site, having lodged a planning application with Clackmannanshire Council this month.

However, the plans call for the demolition of an old farmhouse and steading, which could have a medieval origin.

Furthermore, remains of an ancient Roman ford crossing, road and possibly a nearby fort could still be unearthed.

In a consultation response to the plans, Stirling Council archaeologist Dr Murray Cook – who also provides advice to Clacks – highlighted that any medieval farming settlement has the potential to be of national significance.

Gravel Farm, as the old farmhouse is known, appeared on Roy's mid-18th century "Great Map" and the name Gravel is of Gaelic origin.

In a written response to the proposals for the five 2,000sqm bonded warehouses along with associated services and infrastructure to store and mature whisky casks, Dr Cook said: "This implies that the current farm either has older origins or could contain older elements that are to be destroyed.

"Any medieval farming settlement has the potential to be of national significance.

"In addition, there are a series of 18th and 19th century reports of a ford running across the Forth at this location.

"The ford is suggested to be Roman in origin and there are also indications of a Roman fort to the immediate north-west of the proposed development site.

"Any Roman road running from the putative ford as well as objects associated with the use of the road would be of clear national significance.

"Finally, the development area has been arable since the mid-18th century which raises the possibility of previously unknown prehistoric archaeology.

"All of this suggests that there is the potential for previously unrecorded archaeological remains some of which have the potential to be of national significance and all of which would be destroyed by the proposed development."

However, Dr Cook explained the precise nature and location of the above remains are unknown and so there are "insufficient grounds to object to the development".

The archaeologist instead suggested a condition is attached to the development, if approved, for a programme of works to record site conditions, assess the farm building, for a metal detection survey and a ground breaking evaluation.

He suggested that if any archaeological features are identified, these should be excavated, assessed, analysed and archived.

The proposals are available under 22/00072/FULL on the council's planning portal.