Latest news with #GerardCaughey


Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow homeowner ordered to remove sun room from property
Glasgow City Council served two enforcement notices on a flat at 1 Seton Terrace as officials said the structures, installed without permission, were out of character and affecting neighbours. The owner, Gerard Caughey, appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to overturn the rulings, but they have now been upheld. A sun room, or orangery, was built in 2018 as an extension to the mid-19th century two-storey flat while the two flues – for a wood-burning stove within a workshop in the garden – were installed in a lane to the back of the property. Council officials said both the flues and the sun room require planning permission while listed building consent is needed for the extension. They ordered their removal in November last year following 'various' public complaints, as the flues have 'a direct impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties' due to smoke. Officials also said the sun room does not 'protect the listed building's appearance' or 'complement the… period, style and character'. (Image: Appeal documents) But Mr Caughey, who claimed he was only aware of one complaint, appealed. A reporter was appointed by the Scottish Government to investigate the case. A representative for the owner said he had reinstated a single-storey extension at the same 'height and scale' as an original orangery, which had been part of the property when it was purchased in the 1990s but was removed as it was in 'a dangerous condition'. The appeal argued the extension had been completed six years before the enforcement notice was issued and that it protected the listed building 'due to its similarity to what was there originally'. It added 'quality' Spanish hardwood had been used and a 'sympathetic approach' was taken. The owner's appeal also claimed the council had failed to respond to a query about retrospective planning applications, and a prior enforcement notice relating to the flues had been dismissed. A letter of support for the extension was provided by Brian Johnston, planning convener on Dennistoun Community Council. It stated the work had been 'carried out with a sympathetic regard for the original building' and the 'workmanship, design and materials' were of 'high quality'. In response, the council said the previous notice was not withdrawn and the flues are not 'a sufficient distance' from neighbouring properties, so a planning application would be refused. READ MORE: Call to keep 'distinctive' building facade in plan for new Radisson hotel It added permission for the extension also wouldn't be granted, as it is 'incongruous with the listed building and contributes to overdevelopment of the rear area'. The council believes removing the 'unauthorised structure would restore the character of the listed building by restoring the rear wall of the building to its original unobscured state'. The reporter, Simon Bonsall, found permission was required in both cases and that breaches of planning control had occurred. He upheld the enforcement notices. Mr Bonsall also refused to grant listed building consent for the extension. He concluded: 'While the effect of the orangery on the setting would not be harmful, I consider that the orangery through its design, location and materials would… not be in keeping with the character of the listed building. 'I consider that the removal of the orangery… would restore the character of the listed building to its state prior to the orangery having been built.' The owner can challenge the rulings at the Court of Session, but only on a point of law.


STV News
5 days ago
- General
- STV News
Homeowner's fury after 'nonsense' order to remove sunroom and chimneys
A homeowner in Glasgow has spoken of his fury about a 'nonsense' order to remove a sunroom and two wood-burning stove chimneys from his property. Gerard Caughey has lived in the C-listed property in Seton Terrace, Dennistoun, since 1991. His sunroom was built in 2018 as an extension to his flat on the ground floor of a two-storey terraced house. It contains a wood-burning stove, with a second installed in a workshop in the back garden. Both have flues that he has been ordered to remove. 'Should I just destroy it? …It's just going to end up in a skip somewhere' Gerard Caughey Glasgow City Council argued that the sunroom did not 'protect the listed building's appearance' or 'complement' the area's 'period, style and character'. Planning officers ordered its removal in November following 'various' public complaints, along with the chimneys, which they said had 'a direct impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties' due to smoke. 'I think it's nonsense,' Mr Caughey told STV News. STV News 'Most folk I speak with in the area love the smell of the smoke, and I use it very occasionally. 'I've also had a complaint about noise when I work from my toolshed, and about a tree being up. I mean that tree has been there for 150 years. 'I've been here 35 years. When I got the flat, it was a complete shambles.' Mr Caughey appealed to the Scottish Government to overturn the rulings, but this week they were upheld. '…removal of the orangery… would restore the character of the listed building…' Scottish Government reporter The reporter appointed to investigate by the Government heard that Mr Caughey's current sunroom replaced a pre-existing orangery which was in a 'dangerous condition'. Mr Caughey's appeal argued his extension protected the listed building because of its similarity to the original structure. Mr Caughey said that the window for planning permission was 'very small' and that the council had failed to respond to a query about retrospective planning applications. He argued that the extension had been completed six years before the enforcement notice, that a prior notice against the flues had been dismissed, and that 'quality' Spanish hardwood shipped from abroad had been used. STV News The council said the previous notice was not withdrawn, that the sunroom was 'incongruous' with the listed building and contributed to 'overdevelopment', and the flues were not 'a sufficient distance' from neighbouring properties, so a planning application would be refused. The Scottish Government reporter decided that the sunroom and chimneys required planning permission and breaches had occurred. To keep his sunroom and chimneys, Mr Caughey's only option now is to challenge the rulings at Scotland's highest court – the Court of Session. But this can only be done on a point of law. The grounds could include a claim that the Government reporter misunderstood important evidence or didn't take it into account. STV News The Scottish Government describe this as a 'complex legal process'. Mr Caughey admitted it's likely his work from the past five years is going 'to end up in a skip'. 'The house is done with cast iron everywhere, proper materials from Spain,' he said, 'I think it's fabulous. 'I'd hate to take it down. It's near impossible. 'I have no idea where to start. I mean, look at it. Should I just destroy it? That's what it looks like I'm going to have to do. It's just going to end up in a skip somewhere. 'I don't know why, it's not doing anything. You can't even see the garden from out in the street. 'It's not causing anyone harm or anything. I didn't think it would be a big deal.' The Scottish Government reporter, Simon Bonsall, refused to grant listed building consent for Mr Caughey's extension. 'While the effect of the orangery on the setting would not be harmful, I consider that the orangery through its design, location and materials would… not be in keeping with the character of the listed building,' he concluded. 'I consider that the removal of the orangery… would restore the character of the listed building to its state prior to the orangery having been built.' Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Glasgow homeowner ordered to demolish sun room by council after neighbours moan
Gerard Caughey appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to overturn the rulings, but they have now been upheld. A Dennistoun homeowner has been ordered to remove a sun room and two wood-burning stove chimneys from their C-listed property. Glasgow City Council served two enforcement notices on a flat at 1 Seton Terrace as officials said the structures, installed without permission, were out of character and affecting neighbours. The owner, Gerard Caughey, appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to overturn the rulings, but they have now been upheld. A sun room, or orangery, was built in 2018 as an extension to the mid-19th century two-storey flat while the two flues — for a wood-burning stove within a workshop in the garden — were installed in a lane to the back of the property. Council officials said both the flues and the sun room require planning permission while listed building consent is needed for the extension. They ordered their removal in November last year following 'various' public complaints, as the flues have 'a direct impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties' due to smoke. Officials also said the sun room does not 'protect the listed building's appearance' or 'complement the… period, style and character'. But Mr Caughey, who claimed he was only aware of one complaint, appealed. A reporter was appointed by the Scottish Government to investigate the case. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A representative for the owner said he had reinstated a single-storey extension at the same 'height and scale' as an original orangery, which had been part of the property when it was purchased in the 1990s but was removed as it was in 'a dangerous condition'. The appeal argued the extension had been completed six years before the enforcement notice was issued and that it protected the listed building 'due to its similarity to what was there originally'. It added 'quality' Spanish hardwood had been used and a 'sympathetic approach' was taken. The owner's appeal also claimed the council had failed to respond to a query about retrospective planning applications, and a prior enforcement notice relating to the flues had been dismissed. A letter of support for the extension was provided by Brian Johnston, planning convener on Dennistoun Community Council. It stated the work had been 'carried out with a sympathetic regard for the original building' and the 'workmanship, design and materials' were of 'high quality'. In response, the council said the previous notice was not withdrawn and the flues are not 'a sufficient distance' from neighbouring properties, so a planning application would be refused. It added permission for the extension also wouldn't be granted, as it is 'incongruous with the listed building and contributes to overdevelopment of the rear area'. The council believes removing the 'unauthorised structure would restore the character of the listed building by restoring the rear wall of the building to its original unobscured state'. The reporter, Simon Bonsall, found permission was required in both cases and that breaches of planning control had occurred. He upheld the enforcement notices. Mr Bonsall also refused to grant listed building consent for the extension. He concluded: 'While the effect of the orangery on the setting would not be harmful, I consider that the orangery through its design, location and materials would… not be in keeping with the character of the listed building. 'I consider that the removal of the orangery… would restore the character of the listed building to its state prior to the orangery having been built.' The owner can challenge the rulings at the Court of Session, but only on a point of law.


STV News
6 days ago
- General
- STV News
Homeowner ordered to remove sunroom and two wood-burning stove chimneys
A Dennistoun homeowner has been ordered to remove a sunroom and two wood-burning stove chimneys from their C-listed property. Glasgow City Council served two enforcement notices on a flat at 1 Seton Terrace. Officials said the structures, installed without permission, were out of character and affecting neighbours. The owner, Gerard Caughey, appealed to the Scottish Government to overturn the rulings, but they have now been upheld. A sunroom, or orangery, was built in 2018 as an extension to the mid-19th-century two-storey flat, while the two flues — for a wood-burning stove within a workshop in the garden—were installed in a lane to the back of the property. Council officials said both the flues and the sun room require planning permission while listed building consent is needed for the extension. They ordered their removal in November last year following 'various' public complaints, as the flues have 'a direct impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties' due to smoke. Officials also said the sun room does not 'protect the listed building's appearance' or 'complement the… period, style and character'. But Mr Caughey, who claimed he was only aware of one complaint, appealed. The Scottish Government appointed a reporter to investigate the case. A representative for the owner said he had reinstated a single-storey extension at the same 'height and scale' as an original orangery, which had been part of the property when it was purchased in the 1990s but was removed as it was in 'a dangerous condition'. The appeal argued the extension had been completed six years before the enforcement notice was issued and that it protected the listed building 'due to its similarity to what was there originally'. It added that 'quality' Spanish hardwood had been used, and a 'sympathetic approach' was taken. The owner's appeal also claimed the council had failed to respond to a query about retrospective planning applications and dismissed a prior enforcement notice relating to the flues. A letter of support for the extension was provided by Brian Johnston, planning convener on Dennistoun Community Council. It stated the work had been 'carried out with a sympathetic regard for the original building' and the 'workmanship, design and materials' were of 'high quality'. In response, the council said the previous notice was not withdrawn and the flues are not 'a sufficient distance' from neighbouring properties, so a planning application would be refused. It added that permission for the extension would also not be granted, as it is 'incongruous with the listed building and contributes to overdevelopment of the rear area.' The council believes removing the 'unauthorised structure would restore the character of the listed building by restoring the rear wall of the building to its original unobscured state'. The reporter, Simon Bonsall, found that permission was required in both cases and that breaches of planning control had occurred. He upheld the enforcement notices. Mr Bonsall also refused to grant listed building consent for the extension. He concluded: 'While the effect of the orangery on the setting would not be harmful, I consider that the orangery through its design, location and materials would… not be in keeping with the character of the listed building. 'I consider that the removal of the orangery… would restore the character of the listed building to its state prior to the orangery having been built.' The owner can challenge the rulings at the Court of Session, but only on a point of law. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country