A planning application for an extension to the C listed St Finans House in Lumphanan has also prompted the Community Council to submit a formal objection to Aberdeenshire Council.

Further concerns have been expressed at the recent felling of a 200-year-old copper beech tree in the grounds of the property, apparently in preparation for building works to commence, but which wasn't identified on the application drawings as requiring to be cut down.

Acting Chair of the Community Council, Jo Pick, said: "It is a fairly contentious issue and a letter has been sent to Aberdeenshire Council. It's what the Community Council have come up with from the views expressed from the people in the village. I was initially approached by several people in the village and we then proceeded to canvas opinion in the wider community."

She added: "I haven't been able to find anyone in favour of it."

According to Historic Scotland, the listing of the Manse of Lumphanan, Parish Church of St Finan, St Finan's Churchyard, Manse Offices and Manse Walled Garden relates specifically to the group interest of the subject and applies to the interior as well as the exterior. Built in 1782, they say the Manse (St Finans House) is an example of local architecture (George Spark revised James Thomson (Crathes)), and notes the group of buildings as being "Picturesque".

In 2006, Historic Scotland transferred the Category C(S) group of buildings to the jurisdiction of Aberdeenshire Council.

The Community Council has made six objections, the main one being that the design and scale of the proposal is in no way empathetic with the traditional character of the surroundings, with the contemporary features greatly reducing the cultural and historical significance of the building.

They have also requested an investigation be carried out by the Marr Environmental Planner to establish whether a preservation order exists on any of the trees on the proposed site or within the curtilage of the subject of listing.

Ms Pick added: "Several people have spoken to Aberdeenshire Council and it seems that no-one in the planning department knew the building was even listed.

"My understanding is it's a very unique group of buildings, the history of which is pretty fascinating. The current owners have already chopped down trees. We've moved to request preservation orders on the remaining trees although we're probably already too late.

"We also understand there is a precedent for building in or near a graveyard – apparently the Kirk at Keig was turned down for development about 7 to 8 years ago, because of the graveyard."

She added: "It's just too much in the wrong place."

One local resident told the Piper: "This group of buildings formed the heart of the original Parish of Lumphanan, until the Deeside Line came along and the village grew up around that. It's part of our cultural heritage. Local people, particularly the older ones, still feel an ownership of the buildings.

"We often get visitors from places like New Zealand looking for ancestors who were married in the church.

"They're proposing alterations and an extension to the Manse, including pillars and an extra wing in a contemporary design - it's caused a furore in the community."

Details of Planning Application M/APP/2010/0227 can be viewed at Aberdeenshire Council's website, www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk. Members of the public have until March 4 to make representations. At the time of going to press, the number of representations received by the council was four.