Couple at war with council over plans to BULLDOZE £640k house to build dream home near Glasgow

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

The Blacks have now turned to the Scottish Government in a bid to have the decision overturned
DREAMS DASHED Couple at war with council over plans to BULLDOZE £640k house to build dream home near Glasgow
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A COUPLE have been blocked from bulldozing a £640,000 bungalow and replacing it with their dream 'green' home.
Lewis and Kathryn Black bought Oak Lodge in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, before seeking approval to flatten it.
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Lewis and Kathryn Black bought Oak Lodge in Newton Mearns
Credit: Pressteam Scotland
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They want to replace it with a stunning architect designed mansion
Credit: Pressteam Scotland
They paid £637,500 in 2023 for the detached house and want to replace it with a stunning architect designed mansion.
The new luxury villa includes three bedrooms, an outdoor balcony, a pantry, TV room and a dog house.
They have claimed demolishing the existing 'substandard' 1950s property is the only option that is financially viable to them.
But they are now locked in a planning battle after East Renfrewshire Council refused permission and said the scheme went against regulations.
The Blacks have now turned to the Scottish Government in a bid to have the decision overturned.
An appeal document said: "It is not considered that the existing 1950s dwelling makes 'positive contribution' to the character of the Upper Whitecraigs Conservation Area.
"Given this it should not therefore be necessary to then have to demonstrate that its condition prevents its retention at a 'reasonable cost'.
"However, and without prejudice, the submitted feasibility appraisals clearly demonstrate that the only financially viable option will be the demolition of the existing substandard dwelling, and the erection of a modern new replacement dwelling on the appeal site."
A design statement from their architect said: "The applicants intend to create a multi generational home for themselves and their growing family including dogs.
"The existing house and facilities are dilapidated and in a relatively poor quality making adapting modern living and thermal comfort
increasingly difficult.
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"The design is influenced by both the existing topography and the wider context of the site. The proposal of a new house, together with the form and materiality of the proposed dwelling, are designed to adopt a contemporary interpretation of nearby properties.
"The existing dwelling is of a traditional construction, and has poor levels of insulation and it is considered that improving the construction quality of these buildings, whilst improving services, energy efficiency, heating, etc, would be impractical and financially imprudent when considering the likely value which could be attained."
A neighbour objected to the Black's plans and claimed Oak Lodge was 'suitable for renovation' and should be maintained as a family home.
They said: "The property was always maintained to a high standard and is suitable for renovation and improvements to make it a modern and efficient family home, which blends into the local natural and built environment."
The local community council adopted a neutral stance but noted the house had been empty for a 'considerable period' of time which had led to a 'deterioration of its integrity'.
Rejecting the move, the council said: "It has not been demonstrated that the structural condition of the building prevents its retention at a reasonable cost nor has it been demonstrated that reasonable efforts have been made to retain, repair and reuse the building.
"The demolition of the existing house is contrary to the adopted local development plan as there is no acceptable replacement development proposal in place because the replacement scheme applied for will not preserve and enhance the special character of the conservation area."
A government reporter is expected to issue a decision in due course.