Developers have admitted they won’t be able to create a memorial marking two historic lime kilns in Stewarton using original material.

Avant Homes had agreed to build a cairn on the site of the kiln complex, which is part of their Stewarton housing development near Draffen Farm.

The dismantling of the kilns was given the go-ahead by East Ayrshire Council as they were deemed to be unsafe after an archaeological investigation in 2014.

That plan was agreed eight years ago but the work has not been completed.

The developer had planned to make use of some of the original stone that was taken off site when two kilns were demolished following archaeological excavations in 2014.

However, they have now had to ask East Ayrshire Council to amend the approved plan as they haven’t been able to locate that original material.

They have also asked to engrave the date 1808 on the date stone as it was unmarked.

In a planning statement, Avant Homes state: “The currently approved design specified that a date stone ‘recovered from one of the original lime kilns would be incorporated within the construction of the memorial cairn, most likely above the archway entrance feature’.”

Avant said they had been in contact with Stewarton and District Historical Society, who have the original rear ‘date stone’.

The statement continues: “Due to the nature of the section of date stone located, it does not include the engraving of the date.

“As such it is proposed to engrave the date “1808”, to match the original on to the remaining section of stone.

“The Stewarton & District Historical Society has kindly provided pictures from its records to inform this.

“Following engraving, it is proposed that this section of the original date stone would be incorporated into the design of the memorial cairn, above the entrance archway feature, in line with the consented design.”

The developer continues: “Due to the original stone no longer being on site, and unfortunately unable to be located, it is proposed that an alternative stone specification, a reclaimed Scottish whinstone reclaimed from a large drystone dyke chosen to match the original stone, be used instead.”

The kilns had been discovered back in April 2002 following a site visit for a earlier development.

A council assessment stated: “Two stone-built draw kilns and an associated quarry were identified and found to be in good general condition.

“A programme of work consisting of a topographic survey, evaluation trenching, laser scanning, excavation and recording was undertaken from July 21-October 22, 2014, on two lime kilns and an associated limestone quarry on land once belonging to Draffen Farm.

"The excavation revealed the architecture of both kilns to be different in scale, design and execution.

"The later kiln, B, dated to 1808, was remodelled with the construction of an abutment along its frontage.

“This remodelling was required to prevent the kiln suffering catastrophic collapse. Both kilns appear to have been deliberately slighted with the removal of iron fittings and collapse of the bowl.”

No decision has been made on the application.