East Lothian cemetery house plans ‘inappropriate'
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.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
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East Lothian cemetery house plans ‘inappropriate'
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. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
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