Plans for East Lothian homes next to rural cemetery described as 'inappropriate'
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A bid to build two new homes in a former 'cottage garden' on the edge of a rural cemetery have been rejected as 'inappropriate'.
BJP Properties Ltd applied for permission to clear the garden area which they said had been left unused for over 20 years and was full of 'self seeding' trees and ornamental Leylandii.
However East Lothian planners refused the proposal for land next to Thurston Cemetery near Innerwick saying it was against their policy to allow new housing in the countryside.
And councillors today agreed saying the land in question was 'established woodland' and the development would be out of place so close to the graveyard.
Local Councillor Donna Collins, who chaired a meeting of the council's Local Review Body, which heard an appeal against the decision, said she had researched the land and some trees on it dated back up to 200 years.
She told the meeting: "This has been an established woodland stretching back 200 years. Any garden this has been has been a small allotment. It has not been developed into a huge garden that was kept."
The applicants had said the garden was bought along with nearby Primrose Cottage, on the opposite side of the road in 2000 but tenants in the house had not maintained it as a cottage garden and it had been left unused.
In their application they said: "All trees and shrubs currently on-site are either self-seeded or unpruned ornamentals, such as Leylandii, as a result of garden having not been utilised for over 20 years by tenants.
"The site will necessarily be cleared to facilitate the beneficial erection
of rural homes."
Planning officers rejected the proposed housing saying it went against their policy not to allow new builds in the countryside without meeting any exemptions, would lead to increased traffic and lead to a loss of woodland.
Councillor Andy Forrest told the Local Review Body that after visiting the site it was clear it was part of the woodland saying: "The issue for me is the loss of woodland which provides a good trail for animals to make their way across the area."
And Councillor John McMillan agreed adding he found the proximity of the new houses to Thurston Cemetery, which lies on the edge of the site.
He said: "It is a beautiful site and I have sympathy with people who want to live in our beautiful county but this is about what is countryside and appropriate development.
"Having a house there, next to East Lodge and the cemetery would be inappropriate. It would be incongruous beside the village cemetery."
The review body unanimously refused the appeal.
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Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
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Plans for East Lothian homes next to rural cemetery described as 'inappropriate'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A bid to build two new homes in a former 'cottage garden' on the edge of a rural cemetery have been rejected as 'inappropriate'. BJP Properties Ltd applied for permission to clear the garden area which they said had been left unused for over 20 years and was full of 'self seeding' trees and ornamental Leylandii. However East Lothian planners refused the proposal for land next to Thurston Cemetery near Innerwick saying it was against their policy to allow new housing in the countryside. And councillors today agreed saying the land in question was 'established woodland' and the development would be out of place so close to the graveyard. Local Councillor Donna Collins, who chaired a meeting of the council's Local Review Body, which heard an appeal against the decision, said she had researched the land and some trees on it dated back up to 200 years. She told the meeting: "This has been an established woodland stretching back 200 years. Any garden this has been has been a small allotment. It has not been developed into a huge garden that was kept." The applicants had said the garden was bought along with nearby Primrose Cottage, on the opposite side of the road in 2000 but tenants in the house had not maintained it as a cottage garden and it had been left unused. In their application they said: "All trees and shrubs currently on-site are either self-seeded or unpruned ornamentals, such as Leylandii, as a result of garden having not been utilised for over 20 years by tenants. "The site will necessarily be cleared to facilitate the beneficial erection of rural homes." Planning officers rejected the proposed housing saying it went against their policy not to allow new builds in the countryside without meeting any exemptions, would lead to increased traffic and lead to a loss of woodland. Councillor Andy Forrest told the Local Review Body that after visiting the site it was clear it was part of the woodland saying: "The issue for me is the loss of woodland which provides a good trail for animals to make their way across the area." And Councillor John McMillan agreed adding he found the proximity of the new houses to Thurston Cemetery, which lies on the edge of the site. He said: "It is a beautiful site and I have sympathy with people who want to live in our beautiful county but this is about what is countryside and appropriate development. "Having a house there, next to East Lodge and the cemetery would be inappropriate. It would be incongruous beside the village cemetery." The review body unanimously refused the appeal.
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Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It won't be long before the diggers come. Between Toppings bookstore and Greenside Parish Church is 12 Blenheim Place, a patch of greenery overlooked by Calton Hill. Historic maps show the site was woodland from at least the mid-19th century. But then, around 2017, the trees were felled. And now the five-bedroom family home is going up – in William Playfair's New Town, a conservation area. It's not surprising that dozens of people, the community council and Edinburgh World Heritage objected to the application . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is more surprising is that planning permission came down to just two councillors. So, how did it play out? By scrutinising one application on one cobbled street, maybe there are clues to how other planning decisions are made. Plans to build a modern house in Edinburgh's New Town were approved by just two councillors | contributed 32 objections The Local Review Body (LRB) met to decide the fate of the planning application for 12 Blenheim Place on April 2, six months after it was first turned down. Four councillors were present: Conservative Tim Jones – appointed chair for the day – as well as SNP's David Key, Ben Parker, of the Scottish Greens, and Liberal Democrat Hal Osler. Blenheim Place was the first item of business, and slightly unusual for a committee that normally deals with dormer windows, driveways and short-term lets. A senior planning officer presented the case. There were 32 objections (one from yours truly). Historic Environment Scotland did not object to the revised application – the original plans had consisted of two three-storey buildings on the site – but stated its lack of objection should not be interpreted as support. Council officers recommended refusal of permission: the council's own report in October used words such as 'sterile' and 'detrimental'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two-all tie As the senior planning officer was finishing their presentation, Labour councillor Lezley Cameron joined the webcast. Since she was late to the meeting, she wouldn't be able to vote. The panel was therefore down from five members to four, and it was time for each to express their view. Jones commented the design looked 'discreet' and 'well thought out', and that the 1980s office building next door was significantly higher, and in that way, a 'precedent' had been set. Key wondered how Edinburgh World Heritage could argue the house would impede views of Calton Hill, when the church next door did the same? Osler turned the discussion to the width of the design: the house would extend right up to the boundary of the category A listed Parish Green Church. Parker agreed with Osler, and said the issue of the height was a 'red herring'. The councillors cast their votes: two for, two against. As chair, Jones said he would use his casting vote, and permission was granted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who knows what would have happened if Cameron had turned up on time, or another councillor had been appointed chair that day? But there was no point in ruminating. The decision had been made. Valuing the public realm This is just one decision by an LRB that should be questioned, but there are other committees making planning decisions with far-reaching implications that should also be looked at. For example, why was Rosebery House by Haymarket Station demolished, when it was only built in the 1970s? Why are blocks of student housing cropping up all over the city when we don't have enough social housing? Why does St James shopping centre have 1,600 car park spaces in a town centre that is already heavily congested? And how much do our councillors – our elected representatives – really value the public realm and green spaces? Part of the answer comes down, frankly speaking, to the quality of councillors who sit on the relevant committees. We require people who are invested in the work, who receive adequate training, who ask the right questions, who can form an argument, and who can put their political leanings aside when it comes to quasi-judicial bodies like the LRB. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Needs of local people But that's not to blame individual councillors. 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