David Whitehead made the application for a total of 15 stones, each between two and 2.5 metres tall, at Barcaldine Castle in Benderloch. But Argyll and Bute Council has ruled against planning permission, saying that the proposal is considered to be in conflict with the local development plan. A council officer said in a handling report: “This application seeks part-retrospective planning permission for the erection of 15 standing stones to form a replica stone circle within the grounds of the category A-listed Barcaldine Castle, Benderloch. Barcaldine Castle (Image: M J Richardson)“The stones have been installed in a circle formation, with 13 stones forming the outer ring and two stones positioned in its centre. “There are no other material considerations of sufficient significance to indicate that it would be appropriate to grant planning permission in this instance.”